Are we moving in the right direction?
Model calculations for Oslo show that approximately 114 000 people (23 per cent of the population) were exposed to concentrations of benzene exceeding the national target in 2003. In Trondheim (population 155 000), an estimated 700 people were exposed to benzene concentrations above the national target. Exceedances are mainly caused by emissions from road traffic and wood burning stoves.
The numbers are calculated from both urban background and roadside concentrations, whereas the national target applies only to the urban background concentration. This means that the number of people exposed to concentrations above the national target level, in fact, is considerably lower than the figures above.
Norway has reduced the maximum permitted content of benzene in petrol, and cars without catalytic converters are being phased out. As a result of these steps, the national target for benzene will be achieved in 2010.