Introductory Chapter: Sources, Health Impact, and Environment Effect of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Pollution control and environmental protection have become a worldwide issue of concern. The aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), aromatic hydrocarbons (ArHs) such as benzene and toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[ghi]pyrilene, and benzo[a]pyrene, are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for ecosystem. These hazardous pollutants are risky because of mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic, and teratogenic effects. These components threaten all life forms ranging from microorganisms to humans when they are released into the environment especially via human activities. The aim of this study is to provide up-to-date information on the various hydrocarbons present in the environment, routes of exposure, and their adverse impact on environment and human health. There are two major categories that contain hydrocarbons; these are aliphatic and aromatic compounds (Figure 1). While aromatic hydrocarbons contain at least one benzene ring, the other group called as nonaromatic or aliphatic does not contain it. The basic structure that forms aromatic hydrocarbons is the benzene ring. On the other hand, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) comprised of carbon and hydrogen atoms which are organic compounds. They have varying structural configurations with physical and chemical characteristics. They can be broadly classified as gasoline range organics (GROs) and diesel range organics (DROs). The first group that is called GROs comprises monoaromatic hydrocarbons including toluene, benzene, and ethylbenzene. This category has short-chain alkanes ranging from 6 to 10 C. The second group that is called DROs has longer C-chain alkanes from 10 to 40 C, and this category contains hydrophobic chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [1, 2]. These compounds, in contaminated ecosystem, are considered to be one of the most stable hydrocarbon forms. The PAH molecular weight is the main factor to determine their origin's level in earth. There are two PAH sources: natural and anthropogenic. Both sources are important and remarkable. Because of natural and anthropogenic activities, these pollutants are irregularly distributed throughout various levels and locations to all over the world. Various studies have revealed that PAHs have carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effect on human health [3, 4]. The main skeleton of these compounds, classified as organic pollutants, consists of two or more benzene rings. The extensive nonpolar contaminants are detected in petrochemical products including coal, oil, and tar. Another significant source of hydrocarbons is also incomplete combustion [5-8]. According to researchers, because of ecotoxicological risks and potential sources, 26 AHs and 16 PAHs causing concerns for ecosystem are categorized as carcinogen or mutagen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These ecotoxicological compounds include benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, etc.

Health risk assessment at hydro cracker complex oil and gas company

“…Hydrocarbons are a compound that can harm health in the form of cancer (Kuppusamy Saranya and Maddela, 2020). Hydrocarbons that enter the human body can cause respiratory tract disorders, nervous disorders such as eye irritation, coughing, and skin spots, reproductive disorders such as changes in the genetic code, internal organ disorders such as aspiration pneumonia or interstitial inflammation of the lungs, liver, and others, and can cause death if in significant concentrations (Ince & Ince, 2019). The control that PT X has carried out against the dangers of hydrocarbon vapors is administrative control with regulations requiring the use of complete PPE and additional PPE, namely respirators, and the installation of safety signs, posters, and safety signs.…”

Heavy Metal Removal Techniques Using Response Surface Methodology: Water/Wastewater Treatment

“…Based on the experimental results, to predict the response with good accuracy and reliability, it was mentioned that the RSM proved to be the best statistical model [62]. Ince and Kaplan Ince [63] examined the removal of Cr from industrial wastewater using RSM combined with CCD besides investigated as an efficient approach for examining predictive model building and optimization. To predictive regression models and optimize experimental variables, statistical design was modeled.…”

“…The proposed adsorption process was applied to various industrial wastewaters. It was stated that a CCD method was identified to yield a maximum Cr ion removal of 99% [63].…”

Impact of Biosolids-Derived Biochar on the Remediation and Ecotoxicity of Diesel-Impacted Soil

“…It is a major global environmental problem worldwide, including in Australia, Canada, and many other countries [1][2][3]. Exposure to this contaminant poses a threat to biota, from microbes to humans [4]. For example, humans and animals can be exposed to teratogenic, immunotoxic, carcinogenic, and other toxicological impacts when they come into contact with this class of contaminant [5].…”