Benzene

The Grim Reaper

No. 7 in a never-ending series. Autumn 1993

Benzene is a known leukaemogen. That means it causes leukaemia. It is so toxic that it has no safe level. Children are more vulnerable than adults because of their lower body weight, but we are all at risk.

Benzene is added to petrol at the rate of 5% by volume. Ironically, lead free petrol has more benzene than leaded petrol to compensate for the loss of the lead and to maintain the petrol's performance. It is added as an "anti-knocking" agent, to increase the octane rating. In other words the petrol companies knowingly add this highly dangerous poison in order that the Great British Public can get even higher performance from their cars. Average levels of benzene indoors are 2 parts per billion (ppb). Average ambient levels outside are 3 ppb. This means we are all being gradually poisoned, but there is some good news for cyclists: motorists and their passengers will die before us from benzene. Average levels of benzene inside cars are 20 ppb and in petrol stations 1000 ppb!

A powerful correlation has been found between childhood leukaemia and car usage with the highest rates in the countryside where children spend most time in cars.

The irony of all this is that as the roads get busier and more dangerous even more parents drive their children to school in the misplaced belief they are reducing their risk of premature death, whilst they may in fact be increasing it.

The Grim Reaper