Where does ethylbenzene come from?
Ethylbenzene is a compound used in paints, lacquers, adhesives, inks, and cleaning materials. It is also used in the production of dyes, perfumes, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. Ethylbenzene exists naturally in petroleum, and therefore it is found in gasoline. In Ontario, ethylbenzene is typically 1.4% of regular unleaded gasoline and 1.7% of premium unleaded gasoline. Sources of ethylbenzene to the atmosphere include petroleum and coal refining, vehicle emissions, and evaporation from solvents and thinners. Ethylbenzene is released to the soil and water from leaking underground petroleum storage tanks, landfill sites, spills during transportation, pesticide use, and discharges of industrial and municipal waste. Natural sources of toluene are forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and volatile emissions from vegetation. Ethylbenzene is related to two other compounds, toluene and xylene, which are also found in gasoline. Together, the three compounds are often referred to as TEX.
