Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Health Indicator Report of 1,3-Butadiene in Outdoor Air

1,3-Butadiene is a volatile chemical with a gasoline-like odor. It is used in the production of rubber and plastics, and is also a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Motor vehicle exhaust is the largest source of butadiene in New Jersey air. Inhaling high concentrations of 1,3-butadiene for prolonged periods can cause central nervous system damage and the risk of heart disease and cancer. At concentrations in air likely to be encountered in New Jersey, 1,3-butadiene may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. 1,3-Butadiene is a known human carcinogen.

1,3-Butadiene in Outdoor Air, by New Jersey County, NATA 2017


Notes

Data Source: USEPA National-scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), 2017 and NJDEP Division of Air Quality

Data Sources

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Bureau of Air Monitoring, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Definition

Mean of modeled annual average 1,3-butadiene concentration for census tracts in a county, using 2017 NATA data

Numerator

Modeled mean 1,3-butadiene concentration in micrograms per cubic meter

Denominator

N/A

How Are We Doing?

Several New Jersey counties exceed the health benchmark of 0.033 micrograms of 1,3-butadiene per cubic meter of air. The highest ambient air concentrations can be found in the northeast counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union.

What Is Being Done?

Like carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene is a product of incomplete combustion, and its presence in automobile exhaust is controlled to some degree by catalytic converters. Industrial facilities that emit this chemical must obtain permits from the NJDEP Air Program and are also subject to state and federal air pollution control technology requirements.

Available Services

To view select air quality data collected at outdoor monitors across the United States go to: [http://www.epa.gov/airdata/] New Jersey County historic Risk Ratio tables can be found at the following URL: [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/airmon/airtoxics/nataest.htm#rrtab]
Page Content Updated On 03/17/2022, Published on 03/22/2022
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Fri, 29 March 2024 6:56:44 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

Content updated: no date