NOHSC declares an amendment to the occupational exposure standard for benzene
The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) has declared an amendment to the adopted national exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment (Source D Update) 2003. Notification of the amendment appears in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette of 18th June 2003 and the Commonwealth Chemical Gazette of 1st July 2003.
This amendment updates the national exposure standards maintained by NOHSC by replacing the existing standard for benzene.
Background
Benzene is a chemical used extensively in the synthesis of other chemicals, and which occurs naturally in fossil fuels. Large quantities of benzene are produced during the refining of petroleum and it is also retained as a component of petrol.
Benzene was the subject of a Priority Existing Chemical (PEC) assessment by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) in 2001. This report indicated that the exposure standard for benzene be lowered from the existing level of 5 parts per million (ppm), due to the possible adverse health effects that can result from exposure to benzene. These health effects include cancer. The PEC assessment forms the main scientific documentation that supports the amendment to the National Exposure Standard.
The revised national exposure standard for benzene is now 1 ppm.
Further background and details about the updates, including a link to the amendment instrument, are available at Update to national exposure standards - for benzene (2003).
4 July 2003
Page last updated: 06/07/2008