The human activities whether for industrial activities, transportation use fuels of various kinds. Burning of fuels leads to a plethora of combustion products ,which contribute towards air pollution including trace organics.

Trace organic are to be monitored to ascertain their characteristics and concentration in the ambient air. These trace organics include Benzene , Toluene , Xylenes (BTX ), Volitle Organic Compounds (VOCs),Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) etc. Monitoring Helps us to take necessary preventive and control measures. With this in view , the Central Pollution Control Board has set up infrastructure and facilities for Benzene monitoring in Delhi, which include active sampling and passive sampling devices, ATD-GC for analysis in its laboratory , online BTX analysers and mobile van for monitoring at selected locations and traffic intersections. Based on monitoring data, it has been possible to identify the polluted area, polluters and also prepare action plans to abate the Pollution. Action Plan for Benzene reduction in the gasoline and the environment for the capital city of the Delhi and the whole country. Because of initiatives taken for controlling the air pollution from different sources, particularly automobiles, fuel quality, the increasing trend of Benzene pollution in the city has been arrested. Benzene content in gasoline has been reduced from 5% to 3% in Metropolitan Cities & 1% in National Capital Territory (NCT) & Mumbai during year 2000. The results of initiatives and emissions from petrol pumps are being felt through findings of CPCB monitoring.

I am grateful to my colleagues Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretaray, Dr. S.K. Tyagi, Scientist 'C' and their whole team for collecting and collating relevant information relating to Benzene pollution and health effects for this Newsletter.

We hope, it will be useful to all concerned with protection and improvement of air quality.