BTEX air concentrations and self-reported common health problems in gasoline sellers from Cotonou, Benin

Abstract

To examine the relation between BTEX exposure levels and common self-reported health problems in 140 gasoline sellers in Cotonou, Benin, a questionnaire documenting their socioeconomic status and their health problems was used, whereas 18 of them went through semi-directed qualitative individual interviews and 17 had air samples taken on their workplace for BTEX analysis. Median concentrations for BTEX were significantly lower on official (range of medians: 54-207 μg/m³, n = 9) vs unofficial (148-1449 μg/m³, n = 8) gasoline-selling sites (p < 0.05). Self-reported health problems were less frequently reported in sellers from unofficial vs official selling sites (p < 0.05), because, as suggested by the semi-directed interviews, of their fear of losing their important, but illegal, source of income. Concluding, this study has combined quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to account for the complex socioeconomic and environmental conditions of the investigated sellers, leading to their, in some cases, preoccupying BTEX exposure.

Occupational and Environmental Health Risks Associated with Informal Sector Activities—Selected Case Studies from West Africa

“…Concerning potential health effects, self-reported problems by informal gasoline sellers indicated that many complained of constant nose irritations (76.1 %), headaches (62.7 %), eye irritations (50.7 %), throat irritations and cough (49.2 %), skin irritations (32.8 %), and other respiratory problems (29.8 %). 21 Informal gasoline sellers reported more symptoms than formal sector workers (90.4 vs. 70.1%). Due to their likely exposure to benzene, there is a risk for hematological disorders.…”

“…19,20 While these pollutants may be derived from a number of sources, the role of the transportation sector is highly important. To investigate the role of the informal sale of gasoline, Tohon et al 21 compared BTEX (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) concentrations at official sites sanctioned to sell gasoline versus informal ones and found that benzene levels are approximately six times higher in the informal sites (median ¼ 478 mg/m 3 ) versus the official ones (79 mg/m 3 ). The same observation was made for toluene (1,449 vs. 207 mg/m 3 ), ethylbenzene (148 vs. 54 mg/m 3 ), and xylene (240 vs. 81 mg/m 3 ).…”

“…The same observation was made for toluene (1,449 vs. 207 µg/m 3 ), ethylbenzene (148 vs. 54 µg/m 3 ), and xylene (240 vs. 81 µg/m 3 ). 21 All the differences were to a level of statistical significance.…”

Changes in the microbial community during bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil

“…BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) present in gasoline are highly toxic and harmful to human health; among these, benzene is a known carcinogenic substance 2, 3, 4. The presence of ethanol in gasoline can increase the solubility of BTEX dissolved in the groundwater and thereby hindering its natural biodegradation by increasing the persistence of these compounds in the environment 5, 6.…”