Assessment of BTEX Concentrations in Air Ambient of Gas Stations Using Passive Sampling and the Health Risks for Workers

Abstract

Gas stations are important emissions source of benzene (C 6 H 6 ), toluene (C 7 H 8 ), ethylbenzene (C 8 H 10 ), and ortho, meta and para-xylene (C 8 H 10 )-better known by the acronym BTEX. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of BTEX compounds in the ambient air of ten gas stations in the cities of Salvador and Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil and evaluate the health risks to workers. Passive samplers diffusive of the Radiello®, containing activated carbon as adsorbent, were used. The samplers were exposed for 8 h and then the analytes were recovered by chemical desorption with CS 2 and determined by GC-FID. The BTEX concentrations found in the ambient air of gas stations ranged from 46.72 -435.43 μg·m −3 for benzene;25.54 -342.46 μg·m −3 for toluene, 7.10 -30.07 μg·m −3 for ethylbenzene, 9.36 -89.73 μg·m −3 for m, p-xylene and 9.79 -52.29 μg·m −3 for o-xylene. The concentrations of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes found in gas stations were lower than the limits recommended by the US NIOSH and NR-15 of the Ministry of Labour of Brazil; however, it should be considered the risks due to chronic exposure of workers. Benzene concentrations in three gas stations were above the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH (3.20 × 10 2 μg·m −3). Samplings were also held outdoors at 250 m of two gas stations. The total concentrations of the BTEX compounds were equal to 24.97 and 35.51 μg·m −3

Relationship between Symptoms, Use of PPE and Habits Related to Occupational Exposure to BTEX Compounds in Workers of Gas Stations in Bahia, Brazil

“…The use of PPE by workers can minimize and prevent risks related to the BTEX compounds exposure [3].…”

“…The number individuals participants in the current study is equal to the amount of workers at gas stations in the same locations studied in a previous study about the determination the concentrations of BTEX compounds in the air and evaluation the health risks of workers [3]. These 113 workers, both males and females, were healthy, more than 18 years old, all of them having a minimum weekly workload of 30 hours regardless of the weekday were selected according to the following criteria: working directly with the fuel pump, consenting participate in study, and presenting more than 1 year in service in the evaluated activity.…”

“…Among the monoaromatic volatile organic compounds, we can highlight benzene and its derivatives such ethylbenzene, toluene and xylenes, also known as BTEX [3]. Globally, about two million workers are estimated to be exposed to benzene annually.…”

“…In a previous study, the BTEX concentrations in the air of gas stations in Bahia were determined and the health risks of workers caused by exposure to these compounds were evaluated [3]. The objective of this study was to identify and analyze symptoms of occupational exposure to BTEX compounds found in workers at gas stations in the cities of Riachão do Jacuipe, Feira de Santana and Salvador in the state of Bahia, Brazil in respect to their occupational habits and the use of personal protective equipment.…”

“…All of them are non-renewable and limited energy sources. The urbanization, the population growth, the development of new technologies and the significantly increasing fleet of motor vehicles are responsible for continuously raising the emission rates of atmosphere pollutants [1] [2] [3].…”