Government Health Agency Warns of Benzene Hazards Posed by Attached Garages

Cinnaminson, NJ, May 6, 2013

Millions of homes across Canada and the United States have attached garages and last month, reports began to surface that Health Canada has proposed a new guidance document that warns people about benzene hazards due to vehicle emissions in attached garages. The agency has expressed concerns over benzene from vehicle exhaust infiltrating into people’s homes and increasing the risk of developing leukemia and other forms of cancer.

Deborah Schoen from Health Canada recently stated in an interview on CTV that the agency has conducted studies and found that “On average, benzene levels in houses with attached garages are three times higher than of other houses.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified benzene as a known human carcinogen for all routes of exposure. The EPA reports, “Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure of humans to benzene may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, as well as eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, and, at high levels, unconsciousness. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure has caused various disorders in the blood, including reduced numbers of red blood cells and aplastic anemia, in occupational settings.   Reproductive effects have been reported for women exposed by inhalation to high levels, and adverse effects on the developing fetus have been observed in animal tests. Increased incidence of leukemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) have been observed in humans occupationally exposed to benzene.”

One company that has been helping to identify benzene in indoor environments is EMSL Analytical, Inc.  EMSL has a network of laboratories across North America that offer testing services for this and other potentially harmful chemicals. “Exposure to benzene is something that should be avoided whenever possible,” stated Vincent M. Daliessio, CIH, Project Manager at EMSL Analytical. “Benzene can be found in some work environments and even in some homes as Health Canada has reported. EMSL helps people avoid exposure to benzene and other potentially harmful chemicals through air and occupational exposure testing services.”

For more information about testing for benzene or other indoor air quality  (IAQ) services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com