A bimolecular rate constant, k OH+Benzyl alcohol , of (28±7)×10 −12 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 was measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with benzyl alcohol, at (297±3)K and 1atm total pressure. Additionally, an upper limit of the bimolecular rate constant, k O3+Benzyl alcohol , of approximately 6×10 −19 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 was determined by monitoring the decrease in benzyl alcohol concentration over time in an excess of ozone (O 3 ). To more clearly define part of benzyl alcohol's indoor environment degradation mechanism, the products of the benzyl alcohol+OH were also investigated. The derivatizing agents O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBHA) and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) were used to positively identify benzaldehyde, glyoxal and 4-oxopentanal as benzyl alcohol/OH reaction products. The elucidation of other reaction products was facilitated by mass spectrometry of the derivatized reaction products coupled with plausible benzyl alcohol/OH reaction mechanisms based on previously published volatile organic compound/OH gas-phase reaction mechanisms.