Benzo (BaP) Caitlyn Young

Benzo Sources Vehicle exhaust Trace amounts in cigarette smoke Coal fires Naturally from volcanoes & forest fires Domestic wood burning

Indoor or outdoor? Air pollution such as emissions caused by motor vehicles is a common source for outdoor pollution. Making benzo an outdoor pollutant. Natural processes such as volcanoes can also be a cause of outdoor air pollutants. Small traces of benzo can be found in cigarette smoke, which is an indoor air pollution. This would make benzo an indoor air pollutant.

Primary or secondary pollutant? Benzo is classified as a primary pollutant because it is emitted directly from a source such as vehicular emissions.

Health concerns Inhalation of benzo can cause respiratory tract irritation Exposure to benzo may cause damage the reproductive system and cancer

Environmental effects Aquatic organisms will concentrate it making them dangerous to consume. Small amounts of BaP can leach into groundwater. It is persistent and can remain in the environment for a long period of time.

Prevention and reducing Some practices such as burning only dry, clean hardwoods would produce lower emissions of benzo. Having only EPA- certified products. Through the Water Framework Directive BaP is only released at controlled international levels

References http://apps.sepa.org.uk/spripa/Pages/SubstanceInformation.aspx?pi d=22 http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/outdoor-air- pollution.aspx https://medlineplus.gov/indoorairpollution.html http://nepis.epa.gov