Role of benzene in the waste and biomass energy valorization sector

Between 1982 and 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified benzene as a carcinogenic compound for humans. People are exposed to benzene primarily through inhalation and the main risk is related to chronic exposure, which can produce cancer (leukemia) and non-cancer (aplastic anemia) diseases. The gradual reduction in the benzene content in petrol lowered its emissions from vehicles; nevertheless, the transportation sector still contributes, on average, to about the 80% of benzene emissions in Europe. Petrol filling stations are important local sources of benzene exposure in urban areas. Biomass burning represents another important sector, contributing for more than 50% to benzene emissions in countries where wood combustion plays a predominant role. In addition, the presence of smokers in enclosed spaces further increases the levels of benzene. In this frame, the waste sector plays a minor role. To detect suitable tools for the minimization of the exposure, the usefulness of some policies and devices (e.g., smoking bans, vapor recovery systems, catalytic non-thermal plasma technologies, photo-catalytic oxidation) was discussed.