The increased use of petroleum products in automobiles and industry has led to the deterioration in air quality and human health. Petrol (or gasoline) is a volatile and inflammable petroleum derived liquid mixture primarily used for internal combustion of engines. Occupational exposure to gasoline and air pollutant from vehicular sources are relatively unexplored. The main purpose of this study was conducting biological monitoring for petrol workers occupationally exposed to petroleum product and air pollutants. The study was conducted on fifty male workers employed in petrol filler stations and fifty subjects were recruited as a control group matched for age, sex and socio-economic status.

Background: Increased levels of tumour markers: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), Alpha feto protein (AFP), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) may indicate the onset of the carcinogenic process. The aminotransferases, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are the most commonly measured enzymes that detect hepatocellular injury. Formaldehyde has an important application as a disinfectant and preservative, reason why relevant workplace exposure may also occur in pathology and anatomy laboratories and in mortuaries. Urinary thioethers are excretion products resulting from a series of metabolic reactions which involve oxidation of lipophilic chemicals to water-soluble compounds Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate of the hazardous effects of occupational exposure to formaledehyde among lab technicians through measuring liver enzymes, hepatic tumor marker (AFP, CEA) and levels of urinary thioether as indicator of exposure to Carcinogenic compounds. Method: the study was conducted on thirty male workers employed in medical pathology and anatomy teaching laboratories. Thirty subjects were recruited as a control group matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status. Results: the results revealed a high significant increase in the levels of urinary thioethers in exposed workers than those of control group and high significant elevation in the levels of tumors markers (CEA and AFP) in exposed workers in comparison with control group. Moreover, a significant increase in the levels of liver functions (AST and ALT) was observed in formaldehyde exposed workers. Conclusion: Present data indicate that formaldehyde exposed workers exhibit an increase in tumor markers levels and additionally increase in the levels of urinary thioethers. Safety Preventive measures should be applied for reduction of the formaldehyde vapors in these laboratories.

In working environments where organic solvents such as toluene, Benzyene, xylene, styrene, and trichloroethylene are used, noise is also common. Thus, ototoxicity of an organic solvent has a probable interaction with noise under such environments. The present study aimed to evaluate the occupational combined exposure to organic solvents and noise exposures in printing industry, where several departments were selected as raw material storage, white process, color process, ultraviolet process, and design area as an exposure area. Administrative area was selected as a control. Assessment of occupational exposure to these pollutants was carried out using calibrated instruments. Significant increase in the level of xylene, benzene, VOC'S, and noise during working hours in comparison a control area. However, the only insignificant differences in the level of toluene exposure during work time in comparison with work area and control office. The present study concluded that exposed to organic solvents as: xylene, benzene, toluene, VOC'S, and noise exposure in the printing processing industry can result in measurable health risks to the workers. These findings should be used as a preventive measures for noise and organic solvents exposures control in the workplace environment.

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Paper and pulp industry represent a major industrial sector in Saudi Arabia. Workers in the paper industry may be exposed to a variety of chemicals, chlorinated organic compounds carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), benzene, methane, and a variety of physical hazards such as noise, heat, and illumination. The present study aimed at assessing the occupational chemical, physical, and safety hazards in different departments of paper industry, and administrative area. Levels of noise, heat, and illumination were measured using a standardized technique. Chemical exposure was assessed by measuring different pollutants as SO2, CO, Methane, and Benzene. safety measures were conducted in different paper plant. Analyzed data revealed high significant differences in the level of noise and heat between exposed and controlled area. However, there are no significant differences between the levels of illumination. Nevertheless, there are high significant differences in the levels of measured chemicals in paper plant departments in comparison with administrative area. These observations clearly support the need for further research on the effect of occupational exposure to chemicals and physical agents on workers in paper industry.

No abstract

In pesticides and fertilizer formulation and packaging processes, workers may be exposed to toluene, benzene, xylene, carbon monoxide emissions as well as noise and reduced illumination during milling, mixing, loading, packaging and storage operations. Occupational hazards are associated with exposure to mixtures containing high proportions of active ingredients, and exposure to carriers/fillers and additives. The present study was designed to assess occupational exposure to chemicals, physical, hazards and safety practice in the pesticides and fertilizers packing industry. It was conducted in pesticide and fertilizer packing industry. Occupational exposure to organic solvents as toluene, benzene, xylene and carbon Monoxide as well as noise and illumination levels were carried out using calibrated instruments. Safety practice was done using safety questionnaire. Analyzed data revealed high significance increase levels of toluene, benzene, xylene, and carbon Monoxide as well as in the levels of noise and illumination in fertilizers and pesticides packing departments in comparison with administrative area. Nevertheless, the conditions of many of the safety practice are not satisfactory while the others are satisfactory and adequate. It was concluded that there are great needs for improvement, including identifying and controlling the hazards. providing information, training, monitoring and also legislative requirements that need to be met.

Workers in informal small-scale industries (SSI) in developing countries involved in welding, spray painting, woodwork, and metalwork are exposed to various hazards with consequent risk to health. The present study was to assess occupational exposures to chemical and physical hazards among workers in small workshops. Three different industrial activities were selected for this study. These activities are: car repairing, welding, and wood processing. Inside the selected workshops, different physical hazards as noise, heat stress, illumination, and dust as well as air pollutants of carbon monoxide (CO) nitrogen dioxide, (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and benzene were measured at the same two periods of the day (morning and evening) using calibrated devices. Analyzed data revealed high significant increase in the selected areas in the levels of noise, thermal stress, illumination, and dust during morning and evening exposure between as compared to the control area in the selected areas respectively. Only for NO2, levels of the other gases pollutants inside all exposed workshops are higher than those inside the control workshops. In conclusion, the workers at the studied industries were exposed to potential occupational hazards. These findings should be considered as s a preventive measures for monitoring and application of control strategies in such workplace environment