BTEX

BTEX is an acronym that stands for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes. These compounds are some of the Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons (VOHs) found in petroleum derivatives such as petrol (gasoline). TEX Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes can have major affects on the central nervous system.

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BTEX compounds are notorious due to the contamination of soil and groundwater with these compounds. This typically occurs near petroleum and natural gas production sites, and petrol stations and other areas with Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) or Above-ground Storage Tanks (ASTs) containing gasoline or other petroleum-related products.

The amount of 'Total BTEX', sometimes including Naphthalene as BTEXN, the sum of the concentrations of each of the constituents of BTEX, is sometimes used to aid in assessing the relative risk or seriousness at contaminated locations and the need of remediation of such sites.