Benzene and Benzo(a)Pyrene emissions monitoring and reduction in the vicinity of coke ovens: European state of the art and advancements

Monitoring of benzene and Benzo(a)Pyrene concentrations in the air in the vicinity of a French coke plant, conducted respectively since 2011 and 2013, has revealed levels in excess of the regulatory air quality monitoring limits.[2]
In the context of its stated mandate and at the request of the competent authority, Ineris conducted a survey of the control of emissions from European coke plants and monitoring of pollutants in the surrounding environment, based on the bibliography and on feedback from similar facilities in France and Europe.
The purpose of the study was to collect information for facilities using processes that were more or less comparable to those of the installation in question, as regard to to the levels of benzene and B(a)P emissions at the point of emission and in the environment, as well as the elements of the related processes, including reduction measures. It also highlights the limits imposed for this analysis, for example in terms of differences regarding the quantification emission methods and the existence of monitoring of air emissions releases and in the environment.
Regarding the fifty coke ovens plant identified in Europe, contact with the competent authorities and agencies allowed a shortlist of 6 EU coke plants that have features t relatively similar to those of the French installation presenting elevated levels of emissions, and for which it was possible to obtain more detailed information. This information was put into perspective with regard to the situation in place for the French installation, which allowed to draw lessons about monitoring, quantitative assessment and reduction of benzene and B(a)P emissions.