Assessment of variations in benzene concentration produced from vehicles and gas stations in Tehran using GIS

This study investigates the variations of benzene concentration levels in district 1, situated in the north part of Tehran, capital of Iran. Thirty-three stations in five categories, namely roadsides, busy roads, residential areas, traffic intersections, and the vicinity of gas stations, were monitored during the rush hours in the afternoon once a week over a period of 1 year. Accordingly, benzene concentration levels were measured and predicted by inverse distance weight model. The recorded benzene concentration levels were then compared with those reported in other parts of the world. According to the results, the annual concentration levels of benzene was 13.85 ppb for roads with heavy traffic flow, 14.98 ppb for traffic intersections, 29.01 ppb for the vicinity of the gas stations, 3.26 ppb for residential areas, and 9.97 ppb for roadsides. The concentration of benzene in the vicinity of the gas station sampling point was higher than in the other stations, and at all locations was found to be so much more than the standard concentration levels (1.56 ppb) prescribed by Environmental Protection Agency for the ambient air quality. The results of the study revealed that the benzene concentration levels in Tehran are distinctly more than its standard level. This is mainly attributed to the poor quality of fuel and lack of a standard system for controlling petrol vapors in the gas stations.