US EPA

4240351 

Technical Report 

Exploratory Report, Ethylene 

Slooff, W; Bont, PFH; Janus, JA; Rab, E 

1991 

NTIS/02988371 

GRA and I 

GRA and I 

The major source of ethylene emission to air in the Netherlands is traffic. The contribution of industry (mainly chemical industry) is about 15% or less and has been decreased during the last decade. Emission from ecosystems (vegetation) contributes for about 30%. On a global scale the natural sources are more important than anthropogenic sources. Although the available data are insufficient for a sound risk assessment it seems to be justified to conclude that the risks for humans and for aquatic and soil organisms resulting from the current and future concentrations of ethylene are limited. In contrast to this, the ethylene concentrations in the air may affect susceptible plant species and therefore may harm terrestrial ecosystems and damage agricultural crops.