Any level of benzene exposure can cause adverse health effects — and in 2023, Health Canada examined the problem of gas stations and concluded gas station benzene emissions can be harmful to people living up to 300 metres away.

Since 2019, international public health studies have found gas station workers are at increased risk of cancer. One study showed a high risk of health issues in 51 per cent of workers; over 71 per cent of workers had a lifetime cancer risk compared to an average of 42 per cent in the overall population. Significantly higher risk was found in fuelling workers compared to cashiers, and in city workers compared to rural. As well, international public health studies have since shown “the increased health risk suggests that there should be health surveillance for workers in order to protect them from exposure to benzene.”

In 2023, Health Canada examined the problem of gas stations and concluded gas station benzene emissions can be harmful to people living up to 300 metres away — an “unacceptable risk” to nearby residents, the agency determined. They also found homes as little as 10 metres from the fenceline of gasoline stations, putting them at extremely high risk.

Health Canada identified some straightforward fixes like implementing minimum distances from gas stations for new construction, alongside other options like vapour recovery and the use of pressure/vacuum valves on vent stacks at the source. But nearly two years later, the federal agency has not passed any guidelines or regulations to prevent injuries.