Trubia air quality station records high benzene levels

Environmental groups have issued an alert following a significant spike in benzene levels recorded at the Trubia air quality monitoring station in Asturias, Spain. Data from the Principality of Asturias government shows that concentrations of the pollutant reached 56.9 micrograms per cubic meter during an hourly recording.

Benzene is a compound found in industrial emissions and fuels, classified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen. Prolonged exposure is linked to increased health risks, including leukemia. While the recorded peak is an hourly measurement and cannot be directly compared to the annual limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter set by Spanish regulations, it represents a notable episode of high concentration.

In addition to benzene, high levels of ozone were recorded in the Oviedo area. The Purificación Tomás park station reached 126 micrograms per cubic meter, while the Trubia station recorded 141 micrograms per cubic meter. The Coordinadora Ecoloxista d'Asturies has called for continuous monitoring of air quality and emission sources in the central Asturian region.