benzene in soft drinks (usa), page-2

I don't usually reply to myself on HC but it's a slow day so thought I might follow up with this belated thought for the sake of balanced reporting. In fairness, to the Crystal Light soft drink manufacturing company whose Sunrise Classic Orange contained (only) 87.9-76.6 ppb of benzene (17 times the USA drinking water standard) I want to say, DON'T WORRY, it's OK. Just take Origin Energy's word for it.

http://origintogether.com/your-questions/faqs/

Q: Can BTEX chemicals cause health problems?

A: In a concentrated form, the chemicals are hazardous. Material Safety Data Sheets are available to refer to when handling the chemicals. The traces of benzene were very low - ranges from 1 part per billion to 100 ppb at the maximum level, equivalent to a half a cup in an Olympic size swimming pool.

CXY holders concerned that their company has been poisoning the Kingaroy water with 2ppb benzene can also also relax. DERM-approved Origin Energy says FIFTY TIMES that level is "very low". (I don't know if there is any truth to the rumour that ORG uses it instead of chlorine to kill the bugs in the company swimming pool.)