Benzene

On this page

• Notice of intent
• Timelines
• Background

Notice of intent

In February 2024, a notice of intent to consult on a risk management strategy respecting benzene was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 158, No. 8 – February 24, 2024. The notice of intent is a signal to all interested parties that the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment intend to initiate the development of a risk management strategy, including the potential use of regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), to limit benzene emissions from gasoline stations.

Consultations on a risk management strategy to manage gasoline vapour emissions from gasoline stations across Canada are intended to begin in 2024.

Timelines

Background

In 1993, Environment Canada and Health Canada completed a risk assessment for benzene and concluded that it met the criteria for toxicity to the environment and to human health under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1988 (CEPA 1988). Benzene was subsequently added to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to CEPA 1988. Since then, a number of risk management tools have been developed to reduce benzene emissions to outdoor air. Visit the Toxic substances list: benzene for more information.

In March 2023, Health Canada published Benzene Releases from Gasoline Stations: Implications for Human Health. The objective of this assessment was to estimate the contribution of benzene emissions to inhalation exposures for communities residing in proximity to gasoline stations. The assessment identified that benzene emissions from gasoline station operations may pose unacceptable risks to health for populations living in the vicinity of gasoline stations. As a next step, possible risk management options will be explored to reduce the release of benzene vapours from gasoline stations.