Is BTEX soluble in water?
The BTEX volatile organic compounds benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and p-xylene (X) are important industrial solvents frequently encountered as industrial contaminants. Even though BTEX is relatively insoluble in water, levels have been recorded at up to 1000 mg/L [3].
What is BTEX in water?
BTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. These compounds occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water in the vicinity of natural gas and petroleum deposits. BTEX compounds are among the most abundantly produced chemicals in the world.
How do BTEX contaminate the ground water?
One of the most common sources for BTEX-contamination of soil and groundwater are spills involving the release of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and lubricating and heating oil from leaking oil tanks.
Are BTEX solvents?
BTEX is shorthand for a number of volatile aromatic compounds typically found in petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. BTEX stands for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes. These compounds often accompany one another in part because their mixture has been used as a solvent.
How do BTEX gases affect health?
Prolonged (chronic) exposure to BTEX compounds can affect the kidney, liver and blood systems. Long-term exposure to high levels of the benzene compound can lead to leukemia and cancers of the blood-forming organs.
How do you test for BTEX?
There are several methods of testing for BTEX compounds, including gas chromatography (GC) or with photo-ionization detector. Samples can come from air, water, or soil. When undergoing a GC analysis, headspace sampling allows the VOCs to be analyzed without first undergoing a sample extraction.
Is xylene a VOC?
Small concentrations of carbon disulfide, toluene, and xylene were detected in VOC field blanks. The most commonly detected VOCs at the urban site were cis-1,2-dichloroethene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and toluene–all detected in at least 12 samples.
What is the primary hazard of BTEX?
What does BTEX test for?
BTEX analysis at CASSEN Testing Laboratories provides concentrations of individual compounds, at industrial exposure levels (ppm) or at environmental levels (ppb) which can be used for monitoring worker exposure, the risk of contamination, and the need for remediation.
Is Vinegar a VOC?
Vinegar is an acidic solution with a pH of organic acids, mainly acetic, and other organic compounds, many of them volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). It is a relatively strong acid with a pH of about 2.0 to 3.0 and is corrosive to many surfaces.
Where are BTEX chemicals found in the environment?
BTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. These compounds occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water in the vicinity of natural gas and petroleum deposits. Other natural sources of BTEX compounds include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires.
What is the solubility of BTEX in water?
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) isomers are monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have a moderate solubility in water (benzene: 1600 mg/L; toluene: 500 mg/L; ethylbenzene and xylenes: 160 mg/L).
What does BTEX stand for in chemical category?
BTEX are in a class of chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The purpose of this study is to provide information and a visual understanding of BTEX contaminants and their characteristics how they might be removed from the groundwater through bioremediation.
Why is it necessary to remove BTEX from water?
Therefore, the removal of BTEX before releasing into the environment is necessary to meet the growing demand for cleaner water, which has necessitated the development of innovative, cost-effective alternatives for treatment.