Benzene and chainsaws
Chainsaws come with well-known occupational hazards like lacerations, burns, vibration, and noise exposure. But did you know about the health effects from fuel vapour and exhaust fumes?
Benzene is a colourless volatile liquid used in the production of unleaded petrol. When exposed to unleaded petrol exhaust fumes, some people might notice short-term 
effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. These symptoms may build over the day, or happen quite quickly.
While Benzene in petrol is restricted to less than 1% in the EU, it is also a known carcinogen with long-term exposure to higher concentrations, so reducing exposure can have long term benefits too.
Further information on the risks and health effects of Benzene found in HSE guidance here.
Alkylate Fuels
Alkylate fuels present an alternative that has virtually no Benzene or other aromatic hydrocarbon content (<0.1%), resulting in less harm and irritation when working around fuel vapours and exhaust fumes all day.
These fuels are specially designed to burn cleaner than traditional petrol, containing significantly lower levels of harmful compounds like benzene, toluene, sulphur, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Health benefits
Chainsaw users who find themselves suffering from the effects of exposure to exhaust fumes or fuel vapour (including headaches, nausea, coughing, and irritation of the eyes and skin) should notice an improvement when moving to alkylate fuels.
Alkylate fuels also produce significantly less carbon monoxide, further reducing the occurrence of headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation.
While concentrated Benzene exposure should still be relatively low with pump fuels, switching to alkylate fuels further reduces the carcinogenic risk it carries.
Machinery benefits
Ethanol in pump fuel attracts moisture which leads to corrosion and poor performance, while alkylate fuels are ethanol free and have a shelf life of years, not weeks. They also burn cleaner and more efficiently, helping to extend the lifespan of chainsaws and reducing their maintenance and servicing needs.
Older chainsaws previously run on pump fuels should ideally be serviced before switching to an alkylate fuel for best performance, but new saws can start using them right away.
Many alkylate fuels come pre-mixed with 2-stroke oil, saving the mess, time, and risk of incorrect ratios.