Occupational Exposure to Aromatic Hydrocarbons at a Coke Plant: Part II. Exposure Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

Occupational Exposure to Aromatic Hydrocarbons at a Coke Plant: Part II. Exposure Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds: Grażyna Bieniek, et al. Department of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy Medical University of Silesia, Poland— The objective of the study is to assess the external and internal exposures to aromatic hydrocarbons in the tar and oil naphthalene distillation processes at a coke plant. 69 workers engaged as operators in tar and oil naphthalene distillation processes and 25 non‐exposed subjects were examined. Personal analyses of the benzene, toluene, xylene isomers, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, indan, indene and acenaphthene in the breathing zone air allowed us to determine the time weighted average exposure levels to the aromatic hydrocarbons listed above. The internal exposure was investigated by measurement of the urinary excretion of naphthols, 2‐methylphenol and dimethylphenol isomers by means of gas chromatography with a flame ionization detection (GC/FID). Urine metabolites were extracted after enzymatic hydrolysis by solid‐phase extraction with styrene‐divinylbenzene resin. The time‐weighted average concentrations of the hydrocarbons detected in the breathing zone air shows that the exposure levels of the workers are relatively low in comparison to the exposure limits. Statistically significant differences between average concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene isomers) determined at the workplaces in the tar distillation department have been found. Concentrations of the naphthalene and acenaphthene detected in workers from the oil distillation department are higher that those from the tar distillation department. Concentrations of naphthols, 2‐methoxyphenol and dimethylphenol isomers in the urine of occupationally exposed workers were significantly higher than those of non‐exposed subjects. Concentrations of the 2methoxyphenol and dimethylphenol isomers in urine were significantly higher for the tar distillation workers, whereas concentrations of naphthols were higher for the oil naphthalene distillation workers. Operators at the tar and naphthalene oil distillation processes are simultaneously exposed to a mixture of different hydrocarbons, mainly benzene and naphthalene homologues.

Development of a novel hand-held toluene gas sensor: Possible use in the prevention and control of sick building syndrome

“…It is used in the production of paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives, and rubber and in some printing and leather tanning processes [11]. Some methods for detection of toluene have been reported such as the detection tube method [12], gas chromatography [13], and chemoresponsive volatile organic compound sensors [14]. The 0.07 ppm toluene value (WHO) emphasizes the need for sensitive, specific, affordable, simple, and reproducible methods for detecting toluene gas.…”

“…Although the detection tube method [12] enjoys simplicity, affordability, and quickness, it is not always easy to read the value off the scale and it relies heavily on the analyst's judgment (subjective). The gas chromatography method [13] is sensitive, specific but its size and its design is not suited as a tool for field operations. Further, it is relatively more costly.…”

Occupational Exposure to Aromatic Hydrocarbons at a Coke Plant: Part I. Identification of Hydrocarbons in Air and their Metabolites in Urine by a Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Method

“…The time weighted average concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in the breathing zone air showed that the exposure level of the coke plant workers was rather low 15) , but the GC/MS analysis of the compounds adsorbed from air on active carbon revealed the presence of many different compounds not determined earlier in literature, e.g. : 1,1,3-trimethylcyclohexane, benzofuran, dibenzofuran and biphenyl.…”

Bioelectronic Sniffer (Biosniffer) Based on Enzyme Inhibition of Butyrylcholinesterase for Toluene Detection

“…(1) However, long-term exposure to toluene causes dysfunction of the central nervous system, such as constriction of the visual field, ataxia, and amnesia, since it inhibits the enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine, one of the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system Thus, the maximum permissible concentration [threshold limit value (TLV)] of toluene is prescribed by the American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as 50 ppm in air for 8 h. (2) Therefore, a sensitive, simple, and reproducible method of detecting gaseous toluene is required to maintain environmental safety for a working person and his surroundings. Some methods of toluene detection have been reported, such as the use of a detection tube, (3) gas chromatography, (4) and semiconductor sensors. (5) However, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.…”

“…Although the detection tube method (3) is simple and quick, it cannot be used for continuous measurement. Gas chromatography (4) is sensitive and specific but it is costly and not designed for field operations. Semiconductor gas sensors are not so selective for their target chemicals in the gas phase.…”