Safe Concentration of Benzene Exposure in Work Environment at Motor Workshop

Abstract

Benzene is a colorless liquid that can evaporate rapidly in air and slightly dissolved in water. Exposure of benzene to the body has a very adverse impact on health. The aims of this research were to know benzene risk characteristic or RQ, and safe concentration of benzene exposure in a workshop environment. This research was observational, cross-sectional design with a population of 7 workers of the motor industry in Surabaya. The benzene exposure in the workplace was measured by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Data analysis was done by using quantitative data. Maximum benzene intake received by workers was 0.1837 mg/kg/day. RQ on average workers more than 1 (> 1), with the highest RQ of 22.673. The highest safe concentration of workers was 3.9 mg/m3 and the lowest safe concentration was 0.4 mg/m3. The concentration of benzene exposure in the motor industry showed was above the threshold limit. According to the regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Ministry No 13 the year 2011, RQ for benzene showed a high-risk impact for workers, the smallest safe concentration for the worker was 0.4 mg/m3.

Correlation of Safe Benzene Duration (Hours/Day) and Blood Profile (Leukocytes, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin) in the Osowilangun Shoe Home Industry

“…Based on the results of the study, the highest concentration of benzene in the air was 53.8 ppm and the lowest was 0.06 ppm with an average value of 9.2 ppm. Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 70 Year 2016 regarding the Standards for Health Standards for the Industry Work Environment states that benzene has a TLV TWA of 0.5 ppm 16 . Based on the measurement results there are 5 measurement points that have benzene levels above TLV that exceed 0.5 ppm.…”

“…This is possible because the level of benzene exposure experienced by workers is in a mild level, with an average benzene level of 0.132 ppm (SD ± 0.1742) and an average duration of exposure for 7.5 years (SD ± 6.642) 15 . Other related research is the level of benzene with acute exposure in humans with a duration of 1 day with a time of 5-10 minutes with exposure up to 20,000 ppm can cause death, for a duration of 1-21 days with a time of 2.5-8 hours / day with exposure to 60 ppm can cause respiratory system disorders such as mucus, membrane irritation and dyspnea), haematological system disorders such as leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased MCV, and disorders of the skin system 16 . When an increase in the safe duration of benzene (hours / day) there is also an increase in blood profile levels.…”