Benzene can form in soft drinks containing vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Scientists say factors such as heat or light exposure can trigger a reaction that forms benzene in the beverages.
benzene
Coca-Cola Settles Benzene Lawsuit
By 5.15.07
Welcome To The Future Home Of The Hazmat Whole Foods
By 4.19.07
Over at the Gowanus Lounge there is new discussion of the Brooklyn Whole Foods that is to be built on site of a toxic chemical spill that is absolutely, 100%, positively, in no way, seriously you guys, we’re not kidding around here NOT the fault of Verizon. Whole Foods has finally branded the site despite the huge hazmat warning, as shown in this way-cool photo.
Verizon Parks In Front Of Fire Hydrants
By 3.1.07
We snapped a picture of these Verizon techs parked in front of a fire hydrant while they get their grub on at a Brooklyn corner diner today. Naughty. They were probably just addled in the brain from the toxic benzene plume which is most certainly not emanating from their depot down the street. — BEN POPKEN
This Will Totally Be A Whole Foods Just As Soon As We Clean Up The Toxic Waste
By 2.26.07
For those of you not familiar with the landscape of the borough of Kings, this is a photo taken from inside of the site of a new Whole Foods store in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. Currently, the site is home to an underground toxic plume of benzene that may or may not have originated at the nearby Verizon fuel station. Verizon denies that the fuel station, which is at the epicenter of the toxic plume, is the cause of the mess, despite the fact that there have been 5 oil spills on the site.
The Benzene Scare In Perspective
By 4.13.06
The sexiest gastronomists on the web over at Accidental Hedonist have an excellent post up putting the entire benzene in soda scare in perspective.
First Benzene Soda Lawsuits
By 4.13.06
The Benzene scandal is starting to escalate, as Massachusetts and Florida consumers press class-action lawsuits against soda companies.
Benzene In Soda Is Cancerous
By 3.30.06
Watch out, that next can of carbonated fizzy water you guzzle could turn your esophagus into a tumorous pipe oozing with cancer and bile. The carcinogen in question is Benzene and according to Beverage Daily, benzene levels in most soft drinks are up to five times the World Heath Organization’s limit for drinking water.
