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Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, exposed benzene as the ‘next asbestos’ during a keynote speech at this year’s Clean Air Expo. The event, which took place at Birmingham’s NEC (12^th to the 13^th September), brought together leading businesses and representatives from across the global air quality industry.

Billingham called on industries around the world to protect workers by embracing state-of-the-art air quality monitoring technology. During his speech, Steve identified the health risks associated with prolonged benzene exposure, as well as the latest progressions in ultraviolet differential optical absorption spectroscopy (UV-DOAS) equipment.

“The World Health Organisation has stated – in no uncertain terms – that there is no such thing as a safe concentration of benzene,” Steve explains. “Prolonged exposure to even low levels can leave workers with numerous chronic illnesses. Like asbestos, however, benzene-related symptoms can take over two decades to become visible.

“Presenting at the Clean Air Expo provided the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of benzene and its health risks.  We hope our insight has spurred government and industry to act quickly and protect workers from what is, essentially, the next asbestos.”

Duvas Technologies also exhibited its highly-acclaimed DV3000 unit at the event. The state-of-the-art system uses ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy technology to provide real-time analysis of up to 14 gas species at concentrations of as little as two parts per billion (PPB). Originally conceived by researchers at Imperial College London, the DV3000 is now used by businesses worldwide, particularly those involved with petrochemical plants and oil refineries.

Every business involved in the oil and gas industry, including refining, processing and chemicals manufacturing, should be investing in the latest gas detection expertise or face the likelihood of major high court action. That is the stark warning from Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, who believes a current lawsuit in America will have significant repercussions for the global petrochemical sector.

Following the leak of 100,000 metric tonnes of methane at Aliso Canyon in California nearly three years ago, 9,000 residents are now pressing a class-action lawsuit against Southern California Gas Co., asking for up to $2.5 billion in damages.

According to reports, residents were not only exposed to harmful methane gas, but also benzene, at levels 9,000 times higher than that the state deems acceptable. The chemical is found in many household products, even reaching the USA’s top 20 list of most widely-used substances – with the same level of adoption across Europe and the rest of the globe.

In the wake of the US law suit, Billingham explained: “The important consideration is around the levels of Benzene in the products or the atmosphere. Identifying ‘safe levels’ is not simple. But getting it wrong can cause serious health issues – and potentially catastrophic class actions for corporations operating in the gas exploration or chemical manufacturing sectors.

“Systems, such as the Duvas DV3000 analyser, are already being used by companies across the petrochemicals industry to deliver fast-response, accurate, real-time benzene data – not just in a leak crisis scenario, but offering a routine solution to detect levels early. However, with the capability of monitoring for up to 13 additional species, its application can play a far wider part in the global air quality market.”

Until tighter legislative controls are introduced, the increasing prevalence of benzene use within industrial applications means millions of workers around the world are facing ill-health or early death through over-exposure every year. While California’s Bill 617 and cases such as Aliso Canyon are acting as catalysts to positive change, responsible business should be taking action now to ensure their monitoring and management of dangerous substances such as benzene is under control.

In August, Duvas Technologies showcased its state-of-the-art developments in gas detection technology at the Environmental Protection Agency sponsored 2018 National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference  in Portland, Oregon.

A key annual event for the global air quality community, the conference brought together key stakeholders and decision-makers from around the world. On stand 216, Duvas exhibited its DV3000 gas analyser; a unique, real-time air quality solution capable of monitoring 14 different species of harmful pollutants.

Speaking about the conference, James Matley, global sales executive at Duvas, commented: “Recently, there has been a raft of new reports into the health implications of VOC exposure, such as benzene, including pioneering research by the EPA and the University of Colorado. Coupled with this, we have seen the introduction of far-reaching air quality legislation in the State of California, which now mandates oil and gas facilities to provide detailed information to the public about their levels of air pollution and VOCs they produce. The case for technology, which can measure this is in real-time, is therefore clear.

“This conference was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the importance of benzene monitoring in further detail, as well as talking delegates through the latest advancements in gas monitoring technology.”

The conference was organised by The Ambient Air Monitoring Group (AAMG) in partnership with National Association for Clean Air agencies (NACAA) and the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA).

Compiled three years ago but only published in July 2018, the UK government’s report into shale gas extraction indicates a direct link between fracking and higher incidences of air pollution.

The report, written by the government’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), estimated that a nationwide fracking industry of 400 wells would increase national emissions of air pollution. The findings include a growth in nitrogen dioxide by as much as 4%, while harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could grow by 3%.

Responding to the report, Steve Billingham, CEO of air quality monitoring specialist Duvas Technologies, says he isn’t surprised by the findings: “The AQEG’s research into the pollutant risks attached to fracking further corroborates a raft of studies into fracking sites and the wider petrochemicals industry carried out both in Europe and North America.

“Earlier this year, for example, the University of Colorado published a ground-breaking report into the potential health implications of living near to an oil or gas facility. The study examined the effects of long-term exposures to hazardous air pollutants for those living near to oil and gas facilities. The results showed that the lifetime cancer risk was more than eight times higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s upper risk threshold for those living within 500 feet of a well.

“These latest findings are a stark reminder that oil and gas facilities must invest in robust air quality monitoring provisions. Fortunately, there have been major advancements over the past decade in the development of air quality monitoring technology. Alongside proven photoionization detection and gas chromatography technology, advances in UV Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-DOAS) are delivering unprecedented levels of precision and flexibility.”

Duvas itself has recently launched a next-generation monitoring solution, the DV3000, which quickly and clearly analyses gas type and concentration to within parts per billion (PPB) range. There has already been significant take-up for the system across the petrochemical industry, with the system able to monitor for more than 13 species of gases, including benzene.

To coincide with this year’s Clean Air Day (21 June), Duvas Technologies has pledged its support to tackle the growing global issue of over-exposure to benzene emissions. Through its Guide to Benzene, the Oxfordshire-based air quality specialist aims to raise awareness of the chemical, legislative exposure limits and the technologies available to monitor dangerous levels.

The company is committed to improving public health and is already using its industry-leading DV3000 UV spectroscopy system to monitor real-time benzene emissions from petrochemical facilities worldwide. Via mobile fenceline monitoring surveys, Duvas provides detailed insight into parts per billion (ppb) concentrations of 13 hazardous species.

“When quizzed about common air pollutants, most people consider exhaust emissions such as CO₂ and NO_X as the greatest public health risk,” commented Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies. “While these toxins must be prioritised, it’s important to also consider the less well-known (but no less dangerous) airborne emissions – benzene, for example.

“A chemical released in the production of petroleum, but also widely present in exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke and even household detergents, regular exposure (even in microscopic levels) can lead to severe health implications. At Duvas, we are committed to raising awareness of the dangers of over-exposure and providing innovative technologies to help monitor levels and protect public health.

“Initiatives like Clean Air Day are important to raise further awareness of air quality issues. It is essential that the dangers of less well known emissions, such as benzene, are more widely understood – this is key to protecting public health for the future.”

For more information about Duvas Technologies, visit www.duvastechnologies.com. To download a free copy of the Duvas Guide to Benzene, visit www.duvastechnologies.com/markering-collateral.

Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, recently sat down with Engineer Live to discuss the latest global research linking benzene exposure to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and explain how recent progressions in ultraviolet spectroscopy is helping to improve occupational health and safety for workers operating across the petrochemical industry.

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