Harbin and Benzene

The disaster in Harbin is not much different than those experienced in America three decades ago. Chemical spills are common in developing nations and will continue to be the norm until the governments (or in the case of China, repressive regimes) decide that they want to take decisive action.

The US has taken action and our rivers are cleaner than they've been in 150 years.

Back to Harbin; apparently, an explosion released massive amounts of benzene into the Songhua River at Jilin. The Jilin flows north and eventually passes the crowded city of Harbin. Harbin gets their water from the Songhua and its tributaries.

Benzene is a widely used solvent that, through ingestion (through the mouth), absorption (through the skin or mucous membranes) or inhalation (through the lungs) can cause acute effects on the human body. Benzene is also a carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.

The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (a limit for average exposure over an eight-hour period)for benzene is 1 part per million. That is low by PEL standards.

Benzene is also flammable by any legal standard (NFPA, DOT or EPA).

Is this a major release? Yes. Is it catastrophic? That remains to be seen. The Chinese government has said that it will be four days before water will be available. That is highly unlikely unless the Chinese authorities cut some corners, which could then have serious effects.

Just as an aside, you probably get as much benzene exposure when you pump gas into your vehicle as the average Chinese citizen in Harbin is receiving taking into account dispersion rates and the distance between Jilin and Harbin.

Update: More here. It appears that the benzene levels have lowered while nitrobenzene remains high. The Chinese government has a major problem on their hands by not alerting the public.