Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound used extensively in the chemical industry as an intermediate in the manufacture of polymers and other products.
It is a byproduct and also a common atmospheric contaminant. It can cause leukemia at high levels of consumption. It occurs naturally in some foods like meat, eggs and bananas.
Benzene was discovered by USA soft drink industry in 1990 that benzene could be produced at low levels in certain soft drinks. Benzene can form in beverages containing benzoate salts and either vitamin C or erythorbic acid, a relate substance, if certain minerals are present.
The FDA worked with manufacturers at that time to reformulate their beverages so that the drinks would not pose a safety risk.
According to the researchers, benzene is formed when the ascorbic acid in the beverage reacts with the food additives used for the soda. However, the resulting benzene is very low and at negligible amounts.
Ascorbic acid is readily oxidized by dissolved oxygen. This reaction is catalyzed by iron and copper ions and produces hydroxyl radicals, which can react with benzoic acid, converting it to benzene.
Benzene in soft drink
