Exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) has been reported in gas stations. Exposure to BTEX can result in adverse health outcomes in workers such as cancer and neurological effects. The health risk assessments of exposure to BTEX could be useful in choosing suitable control measures. In this review, data from previous studies of gas station environments in Iran were collected from years 2000 to 2020. The health risk assessments were conducted through the estimation of cancer and noncancer risks using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the US Environmental Protection Agency method. The results showed that exposure to BTEX in some cities of Iran was greater than the occupational exposure limits. The results of cancer risk assessments demonstrated that cancer risk was not increased. However, results of noncancer risk assessments demonstrated that neurological toxicity from exposure to BTEX was significant in different cities of Iran. The health risk assessments indicated that workers at gas station are at health risk.
Background: Exposure to crystalline silica has long been identified to be associated with lung diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the risk of silicosis and lung cancer associated with occupational exposure to crystalline silica in Iran. Study Design: It is a systematic review study. Methods: Different databases were searched, and the Cochrane method was used for the systematic review. Thereafter, cumulative exposure to crystalline silica (mg/m3 -y) was calculated in every industry. The relative risk of death from silicosis was performed using Mannetje’s method. Based on the geometric mean of exposure, the lung cancer risk of exposure to crystalline silica was also calculated. Results: As evidenced by the results, worker’s exposure to silica ranged from a geometric mean of 0.0212- 0.2689 mg/m3 (Recommended standard by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) was 0.025 mg/m3 ), which is generally higher than the occupational exposure limit recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), ACGIH, and occupational exposure limits. The relative risk of silicosis was in the range of 1 to 14 per 1000 people, and the risk of lung cancer in workers ranged from 13-137 per 1000 people. Conclusion: Since workers are at considerable risk of cancer due to exposure to silica in Iran, exposure control programs need to be implemented in workplaces to decrease the concentration of silica.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in industrial workplaces has caused concerns all over the world. Implementation of prevention measures is the best solution for protection of workers’ health. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated prevention measures and risk factors for the COVID-19 infection in Iranian small, medium, and large industries. METHODS: This study was conducted on 349 occupational health, safety, and environment professionals working in different industries. Data was collected using a checklist of prevention measures for COVID-19 and a questionnaire of risk factors for the infection. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that 32.60%of industries reported positive cases of COVID-19. The mean of prevention measures in all the dimensions, except use of personal protective equipment (PPE), was in favorable status. Among prevention measures against COVID-19, the dimensions of education, engineering controls, use of PPE, use of hand washing soap and disinfectant, and physical distance were not significantly different among small, medium, and large industries. However, administrative controls were statistically lower in small and medium industries compared to the large industries. Moreover, screening was statistically lower in small industries than in large industries. The mean risk factors of ventilation, use of common tools and equipment, and physical distance as well as total risk factors were not statistically different among different industries. CONCLUSION: Workers are at risk of COVID-19 infection. The risk factors of ventilation, sharing tools and equipment, and physical distance are critical in classification of risk of infection with COVID-19 in industrial settings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.