1
|
Muda I, Mohammadi MJ, Sepahvad A, Farhadi A, Fadhel Obaid R, Taherian M, Alali N, Chowdhury S, Farhadi M. Associated health risk assessment due to exposure to BTEX compounds in fuel station workers. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 0:reveh-2023-0012. [PMID: 36917686 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2023-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review study was to assess the risk of exposure to BTEX compounds in gas station workers and operators. CONTENT The main components of BTEX compounds are Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene and Xylene. Petroleum, coal large quantities in crude oil and its products are the most important sources of BTEX compounds. These compounds have both high solubility (found in surface and underground waters) and evaporate quickly. Gas stations are one of the most important sources of emission of these compounds in communities. Workers who work in these places have a lot of exposure to these compounds. Exposure to these dangerous compounds can cause many problems for workers. This study was a narrative review article. According to different databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, Cochran and Science Direct, 451 articles were retrieved. 55 full-text articles entered into the analysis process. Finally, 32 articles were selected in this study. The search was restricted to English-language papers published between 1 February 1995 and 13 August 2022. The results of our study showed that the carcinogenic risk (ILCR) for gas station workers in Bangkok (1.82 ∗ 10-4 - 2.50 ∗ 10-4), Shiraz (6.49∗10-7 - 1.27 ∗ 10-5), Brazil (1.82 ∗ 10-4), Ardabil (390∗10-6 ± 1884 ∗ 10-6) and Johannesburg (3.78 ∗ 10-4) was high. The non-cancer risk for oil industry workers of Dilijan (Iran) who were exposed to toluene was also reported in the range of 10-6∗176. The health of gas station workers is affected by exposure to BTEX and gasoline vapor emissions. According to the result this study, BTEX compounds cause genotoxic changes, chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK Genotoxicity at high levels in gas station workers can cause cancerous and non-cancerous risks. Improving the production process of diesel fuel and gasoline in refineries, using periodical examinations of workers and operators at gas and fuel stations, using Euro 4 and 5 fuels, and replacing worn out cars can play an important role in reducing the emission of BTEX compounds and thus reducing health risks and carcinogenic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iskandar Muda
- Department of Doctoral Program, Faculty Economic and Business, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Javad Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Arefeh Sepahvad
- Environmental Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ali Farhadi
- Environmental Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Rasha Fadhel Obaid
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Masoume Taherian
- Student of Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Najeh Alali
- College of Petroleum Engineering, AL-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
| | - Shakhawat Chowdhury
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Farhadi
- Student of Research Committee and Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rahimpoor R, Sarvi F, Rahimnejad S, Ebrahimi SM. Occupational exposure to BTEX and styrene in West Asian countries: a brief review of current state and limits. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2022; 73:107-118. [PMID: 35792774 PMCID: PMC9287831 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of introducing occupational exposure limits (OELs) is to use them as a risk management tool in order to protect workers' health and well-being against harmful agents at the workplace. In this review we identify OELs for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), and styrene concentrations in air and assess occupational exposure to these compounds through a systematic literature search of publications published in West Asian countries from 1980 to 2021. OELs for BTEX and styrene have been set in Iran and Turkey to levels similar to those in European countries and the US. The search yielded 49 full-text articles that cover studies of exposure assessment in six countries, but most (n=40) regard Iran. Average occupational exposure to benzene of workers in oil-related industries is higher than recommended OEL, while average occupational exposure to other compounds is lower than local OELs (where they exist). Currently, information about levels of occupational exposure to BTEX and styrene is insufficient in West Asian countries, which should be remedied through OEL regulation and application. Furthermore, coherent research is also needed to determine actual levels of occupational exposure, dose-responses, and the economic and technical capacity of local industries to address current issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razzagh Rahimpoor
- Larestan University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Evaz Health, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Research Center for Health Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sarvi
- Larestan University of Medical Sciences, School of Health, Department of Public Health, Larestan, Iran
| | - Samira Rahimnejad
- Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Health, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ebrahimi
- Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Pharmacy School, Department of Toxicology, Ahvaz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mohsin M, Yin H, Huang W, Zhang S, Zhang L, Mehak A. Evaluation of Occupational Health Risk Management and Performance in China: A Case Study of Gas Station Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073762. [PMID: 35409446 PMCID: PMC8997918 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
China has a large number of gas stations, with which thousands of workers are associated. There is abundant online literature documenting the various occupational health risks these workers face. However, this literature has many flaws to address, and it falls short of suggesting measures to manage these risks. This study strives to fill that gap, and aims to improve the occupational health of gas station workers through comprehensive risk management and performance analysis. To this end, a reasonable volume of reliable data, i.e., 208 completed questionnaires, were analyzed through current statistical routines, viz., fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). These methods were employed to hierarchically organize the main factors and sub-factors of physical risk management, chemical risk management, biological risk management, physiological risk management and psychological risk management according to their appraised importance, and screen out the risk management stratagem for priority improvement. Research findings reveal that chemical risk and biological risk response schemes have the lowest performance, and need to be prioritized for improvement. Furthermore, this study argues that we can safeguard the occupational health of gas station workers through appropriate risk management strategies. It also elaborates on implications, limitations and future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Mohsin
- College of International Finance and Trade, Zhejiang YueXiu University of Foreign Languages, Shaoxing 312000, China;
| | - Hengbin Yin
- School of Finance and Trade, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou 325035, China; (W.H.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-158-5855-7931
| | - Weilun Huang
- School of Finance and Trade, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou 325035, China; (W.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shijun Zhang
- School of Finance and Trade, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou 325035, China; (W.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Luyao Zhang
- School of Business, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Ana Mehak
- College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Asejeje GI, Ipeaiyeda AR, Onianwa PC. Occurrence of BTEX from petroleum hydrocarbons in surface water, sediment, and biota from Ubeji Creek of Delta State, Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:15361-15379. [PMID: 33231851 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11196-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum exploration and production activities pose great threat worldwide in the marine environment with numerous occurrences of spills every year. Ubeji Creek in Nigeria suffers environmental pollution attributable to petroleum exploration. The hydrocarbons in petroleum encompass a large number of toxicants such as BTEX, which are frequently discharged into water bodies during spillage. In terms of scope, this study assessed for the first time BTEX levels in surface water, sediment, and biota of the Ubeji Creek. Environmental samples were collected at designated sampling locations along the Ubeji Creek quarterly for 2 years. Water quality was determined in situ, while BTEX levels in water, sediment, and biota were assessed in the laboratory using GC-FID. The physico-chemical characteristics of water were within the acceptable WHO limits with the exception of DO of 3.01 ± 0.25 mg/L. Organic pollution load could have contributed to the depression of DO level below the limit. BTEX of 5.57 ± 0.62 mg/kg in sediment samples was higher than the level in control sample. The BTEX levels in fish, shrimps, pawpaw fruit, pineapple tissue, bitter leaf, and cassava were 0.37 ± 0.05, 0.39 ± 0.01, 0.56 ± 0.02, 1.35 ± 0.04, 0.46 ± 0.06, and 0.22 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Accumulation of BTEX in this biota can affect their nutritive quality and consequently pose threat to humans who daily consume them.
Collapse
|
5
|
Qafisheh N, Mohamed OH, Elhassan A, Ibrahim A, Hamdan M. Effects of the occupational exposure on health status among petroleum station workers, Khartoum State, Sudan. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:171-176. [PMID: 33489776 PMCID: PMC7808934 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mean blood lead level for exposed group of non-smokers was 0.58 mg/l. Mean blood lead level for exposed group of smokers was 1.49 mg/l. Mean value of lead in urine of smokers were 1.59 mg/L & 1.16 mg/L in both groups.
Objective The hazards of petroleum station activities are greatly emphasized due to their negative impact on workers’ health and safety concerns. This study aims to assess the effect of occupational exposure among the workers in various petroleum station at the Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods An analytical and experimental study design is followed where 60 participants were selected through purposive sampling technique. The participants were recruited from the petroleum workstation and were considered as the lead exposed group whereas the participants who lived faraway from the petroleum station and had no exposure to lead were considered as un-exposed group. To avoid the effects of smoking on lead concentration we further divided these groups into smokers and non-smokers. IBM, SPSS was used for the statistical analysis of the collected data. Results The results show that there is no significant difference in white blood cells (WBCs) count between exposed and unexposed lead group. We also did not find significant difference in Red blood cells (RBCs) count. Participant from both groups had normal range of haemoglobin (Hb). However, haematocrit (Hct) levels were elevated in both of these groups. We also tested the platelet count in these groups and found that platelet count was slightly lower in lead exposed group as compared to the unexposed group but average count was found within the normal range. Finally, the lead concentration in serum and urine was detected of the participants. Results reveal that the serum lead concentration of non-smokers (0.58 mg/l) in the exposed group was higher than in non-smokers of unexposed group (0.49 mg/l). The lead concentration in serum of smokers in exposed group was also high (1.49 mg/l) than the lead concentration detected in serum of smokers in unexposed group (1.14 mg/l). Urine lead levels of exposed group was also high than the unexposed group in smokers and non-smokers. Mean value of lead in urine among non-smokers of the exposed and unexposed group were 0.76 mg/L and 0.19 mg/L respectively. In the case of smokers, 1.59 mg/L and 1.16 mg/L were the mean value of lead in urine for both exposed and unexposed groups respectively. Conclusion From the given results it can be concluded that health safety measures for workers must be implemented to maintain good health status of workers at petroleum stations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nida Qafisheh
- Department of Environmental Health & Safety, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Abdalla Ibrahim
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Gezira, Sudan
| | - Mariam Hamdan
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Gezira, Sudan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Owumi SE, Elebiyo TC, Oladimeji BN. Oxido-inflammatory responses and histological alterations in rat lungs exposed to petroleum product fumes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:132-143. [PMID: 32894650 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum products-petrol, kerosene, and diesel-composed of volatile organic constituents contribute to air pollution. Exposure of gas station attendants (GSAs) to petroleum products fumes (PPFs) may account for occupation-related predisposition to respiratory toxicity and disease pathogenesis. We simulated GSA exposure to PPF inhalation and examined their effect on oxido-inflammatory responses, toxicity, and histopathological alterations in rat lungs, following 8-hours daily exposure for 60 and 90 days. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, namely: superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), TNF-α, IL-1β, xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO) activity were evaluated. Besides, histopathological examination of the lungs and trachea of exposed rats, PPF exposure resulted in significant (P < .05) increases in RONS, biomarkers of oxidative stress, pro-inflammation cytokines, and reduced (P < .05) GSH levels in rats, secondary to histopathological alteration in lungs and trachea cytoarchitecture examined in an exposure-duration-dependent manner. We conclude, therefore, that the observed biochemical and histological changes create a microenvironment that is permissive to diseases pathogenesis of the respiratory system via oxido-inflammatory mechanistic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solomon E Owumi
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Tobiloba C Elebiyo
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Bidemi Noah Oladimeji
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scheepers PTJ, de Werdt L, van Dael M, Anzion R, Vanoirbeek J, Duca RC, Creta M, Godderis L, Warnakulasuriya DTD, Devanarayana NM. Assessment of exposure of gas station attendants in Sri Lanka to benzene, toluene and xylenes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 178:108670. [PMID: 31472361 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to benzene, toluene and p-, m-, o-xylene (BTX) was studied in 29 gas station attendants and 16 office workers in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure level and identify potential exposure mitigating measures. Pre- and post-shift samples of end-exhaled air were collected and analysed for BTX on a thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry system (TD-GC-MS). Urine was collected at the same timepoints and analysed for a metabolite of benzene, S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA), using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Environmental exposure was measured by personal air sampling and analysed by gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Median (range) breathing zone air concentrations were 609 (65.1-1960) μg/m3 for benzene and 746 (<5.0-2770) μg/m3 for toluene. Taking into account long working hours, 28% of the measured exposures exceeded the ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) for an 8-h time-weighted average of 1.6 mg/m3 for benzene. Xylene isomers were not detected. End-exhaled air concentrations were significantly increased for gas station attendants compared to office workers (p < 0.005). The difference was 1-3-fold in pre-shift and 2-5-fold in post-shift samples. The increase from pre-to post-shift amounted to 5-15-fold (p < 0.005). Pre-shift BTX concentrations in end-exhaled air were higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (p < 0.01). Exposure due to self-reported fuel spills was related to enhanced exhaled BTX (p < 0.05). The same was found for sleeping at the location of the gas station between two work-shifts. Benzene in end-exhaled air was moderately associated with benzene in the breathing zone (r = 0.422; p < 0.001). Median creatinine-corrected S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA) was similar in pre- and post-shift (2.40 and 3.02 μg/g) in gas station attendants but increased in office workers (from 0.55 to 1.07 μg/g). In conclusion, working as a gas station attendant leads to inhalation exposure and occasional skin exposure to BTX. Smoking was identified as the most important co-exposure. Besides taking preventive measure to reduce exposure, the reduction of working hours to 40 h per week is expected to decrease benzene levels below the current TLV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Laurie de Werdt
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maurice van Dael
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Anzion
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Matteo Creta
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - D T D Warnakulasuriya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagaolla Raod, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bakhtiari R, Hadei M, Hopke PK, Shahsavani A, Rastkari N, Kermani M, Yarahmadi M, Ghaderpoori A. Investigation of in-cabin volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in taxis; influence of vehicle's age, model, fuel, and refueling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 237:348-355. [PMID: 29501015 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The air pollutant species and concentrations in taxis' cabins can present significant health impacts on health. This study measured the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde in the cabins of four different taxi models. The effects of taxi's age, fuel type, and refueling were investigated. Four taxi models in 3 age groups were fueled with 3 different fuels (gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)), and the concentrations of 6 air pollutants were measured in the taxi cabins before and after refueling. BTEX, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde sampling were actively sampled using NIOSH methods 1501, 2541, and 2538, respectively. The average BTEX concentrations for all taxi models were below guideline values. The average concentrations (±SD) of formaldehyde in Model 1 to Model 4 taxis were 889 (±356), 806 (±323), 1144 (±240), and 934 (±167) ppbv, respectively. Acetaldehyde average concentrations (±SD) in Model 1 to Model 4 taxis were 410 (±223), 441 (±241), 443 (±210), and 482 (±91) ppbv, respectively. Refueling increased the in-vehicle concentrations of pollutants primarily the CNG and LPG fuels. BTEX concentrations in all taxi models were significantly higher for gasoline. Taxi age inversely affected formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. In conclusion, it seems that refueling process and substitution of gasoline with CNG and LPG can be considered as solutions to improve in-vehicle air concentrations for taxis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Bakhtiari
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Hadei
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
| | - Abbas Shahsavani
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Noushin Rastkari
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Kermani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Yarahmadi
- Environmental and Occupational Health Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Ghaderpoori
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|