EPA TRI Chemical
Benzene
CAS Number: 71-43-2
- Total releases
- 24.1M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 1,354
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Benzene (CAS 71-43-2) is disclosed by 1,354 Form R facilities totaling 24.1M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Benzene (CAS 71-43-2) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
The carcinogen flag above reflects an assessment from EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the National Toxicology Program, not a TRI-specific determination. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from DAGGER DRAW GAS PLANT in NM at 2.8M lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
MIXED pathway mix
Benzene: how the 24.1M lbs splits
24.1M lbs across all reported pathways
- Air Releases15.6M lbs64.7%
- Land Disposal5.0M lbs20.9%
- Off-site Transfers3.4M lbs14.2%
- Water Discharges25.4K lbs0.1%
Benzene's 24.1M lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with air releases making up 64.7% of the bar. Next segment: land disposal at 20.9%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Benzene releases across all reporting facilities increased by 96% (3.5M lbs → 6.9M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Benzene is concentrated: Texas accounts for 39.7% of the reported total (308 facilities). Next: New Mexico.
- Texas 9.5M lbs
- New Mexico 3.5M lbs
- Louisiana 2.2M lbs
- Michigan 955.4K lbs
- Wisconsin 629.9K lbs
Reporting for Benzene is concentrated by industry: Petroleum facilities account for 33.4% of the reported total (169 facilities). Next: Natural Gas Processing.
- Petroleum 8.0M lbs
- Natural Gas Processing 7.4M lbs
- Chemicals 4.9M lbs
- Primary Metals 1.0M lbs
- Nonmetallic Mineral Product 788.3K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Benzene. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Benzene in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Benzene is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Benzene? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Benzene? ▼
What is the CAS number for Benzene? ▼
Health Information
Carcinogen Classification: This chemical is classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by the EPA under the Toxic Release Inventory program. This classification is based on evaluations by agencies including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the EPA itself.
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.