Benzene results - diffusion tube sampling

As part of the London-wide Benzene Monitoring Programme the London Borough of Richmond monitors benzene at 5 locations.

Benzene monitoring locations 1991-1993
Site Code Location
RM 1 Alexander Hall, Mortlake
RM 2 Russel Walk
RM 3 Civic Centre, Twickenham
RM 4 Elmfield House, Waldegrave Rd, Teddington
RM 5 Park Road, Teddington

Benzene monitoring locations 1995 to 1997
Site Code Location
RUT01 York St, Twickenham
RUT03 Alexandra Hall, Mortlake
RUT04 Waldegrave Road, Teddington

Benzene monitoring locations  2001 to present
Site Code Location
Rut 02 George St, Richmond
7 Broad St, Teddington
32 King St, Twickenham
35 High St, Hampton Wick
36 Upper Richmond Rd West / East Sheen

London-Wide Environment Programme annual benzene reports

The main objective of the Benzene Monitoring Programme is to determine the ambient concentrations of benzene to which people are exposed to in urban areas. The programme was initiated in response to continuing concern that people living in urban areas are often exposed to elevated concentrations of benzene, which is a known human carcinogen. The reports include background information about benzene, sources of benzene, health effects, air quality standards and sampling results.

The historical reports consist of results solely within the Richmond Borough whilst the current reports include results from other participating London Boroughs. The results in the following report are quoted in ug/m3.

Historical reports

Current reports

Benzene diffusion tube results

The following results are raw data from the laboratory analysis of the 5 benzene tubes located in the borough. The results run from January to December and include results from other related organic compounds i.e. toluene, ethyl benzene, M+p-Xylene and o-Xylene that were also sampled.

Benzene annual average concentration graph

The graph represents the annual average concentration of benzene from 2001 to 2008. The results indicate there has been a steady decrease in benzene concentrations over this monitoring period. The 2006 annual average has for the first time fallen below the 2010 air quality objective of 5ug/m3. This trend continues from 2007 onwards.

2001 to 2009 annual average benzene results(pdf, 18KB)