Cancer risk analysis of benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde on gasoline station workers

Abstract

Background: Benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are carcinogenic substances to which gasoline station workers are most likely exposed via inhalation. To evaluate these compounds in the ambient air of gasoline stations, the inhalation exposure test on workers was performed and assessed. By the appropriate intervention of wearing mask and hand washing during work shift, we determined whether or not there is cancer risk to the exposure of benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde using urinary biomarkers. Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in 38 workers of 6 gasoline stations in Pathumwan District, Bangkok, Thailand. Inhalation and ambient air concentrations of benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were evaluated by GC/FID and HPLC/UV detectors. Urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations detected in gasoline workers before and after appropriate intervention were analyzed by GC/FID. Results:The average inhalation exposure concentrations of benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were 195.56, 12.60 and 5.74 µg/m3, respectively. The level of benzene exposure was significantly higher than the ambient air level (independent t-test, p < 0.01). The average lifetime cancer risk of the workers exposed to benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was determined at the values of 2.15E-04, 1.27E-05 and 2.69E-06, respectively. Benzene and formaldehyde values were higher than an acceptable criteria defined as 1E-06. The amount of urinary t,t-MA, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the workers daily after 7-days appropriate intervention (wearing masks as personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand washing) was decreased. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which were detected in urine, showed significantly lower than before intervention (pair t-test, p < 0.001). Conclusions:Results from our study confirmed that the gasoline workers have high chances of cancer risk from daily exposure to benzene and formaldehyde. The urinary's t,t-MA, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde could be considerably used as biomarkers in gasoline station workers. An appropriate intervention, using PPE and hand washing, could reduce the cancer risk.

Occupational health risk assessment of benzene and toluene at a landfill site in Johannesburg, South Africa

“…Respondents two and four both had unacceptably high cancer risks of 1.028795 and 0.813946 respectively, while other respondents had a level of risk marginally below respondents two and four. Hazard risks (non-cancer risk) were above the US EPA standard of 1 (Durmusoglu et al [4]; Tunsaringkarn et al [32]) for all respondents (Figure 3). Therefore hazard risks for all respondents were considered unacceptable.…”

Characteristics and health effects of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in an urban area in Iran

“…The main class of VOCs is aldehyde species, with the primary components being formaldehyde (HCHO, hereinafter FA) and acetaldehyde (CH 3 CHO, hereinafter AA). These two species have been targeted in numerous toxicological studies owing to their deleterious health effects (Health and Services, 1999; Neghab et al, 2017; Salthammer et al, 2010; Til et al, 1988; Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012b, 2012c). Their ubiquity and importance in ambient air have been documented in many past studies (Lü et al, 2016; Neghab et al, 2017; Sarkar et al, 2017).…”

“…According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), FA and AA are classified as group B1 (human carcinogen) and group B2 (probable human carcinogen) species, respectively (de Mendonça Ochs et al, 2015; Rodrigues et al, 2012; USEPA, 1999a, 1999b). In addition, FA leads to eye irritation, a dry or sore throat, mucous membranes, a tingling sensation of the nose, menstrual disorders, pregnancy problems, and bronchial asthma-like symptoms (Barkhordari et al, 2017; Ho et al, 2016; Kanjanasiranont et al, 2017; Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012c; U.S.EPA, 2000). Furthermore, effects of AA on the human health include headache, vomiting, eye irritation, nausea, mucous membranes, and negative impacts on skin, throat, and the respiratory tract (Kanjanasiranont et al, 2017; Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012c; U.S.EPA, 2000).…”

“…In addition, FA leads to eye irritation, a dry or sore throat, mucous membranes, a tingling sensation of the nose, menstrual disorders, pregnancy problems, and bronchial asthma-like symptoms (Barkhordari et al, 2017; Ho et al, 2016; Kanjanasiranont et al, 2017; Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012c; U.S.EPA, 2000). Furthermore, effects of AA on the human health include headache, vomiting, eye irritation, nausea, mucous membranes, and negative impacts on skin, throat, and the respiratory tract (Kanjanasiranont et al, 2017; Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012c; U.S.EPA, 2000). The ratio of these two species is potentially a useful indicator of emissions sources; for instance, Viskari et al (2000) and Lü et al (2010) showed for Finland and China, respectively, that the FA/AA ratio in winter was about 0.69–2.60, while in summer, the FA/AA ratio was about 0.11–2.60 (Lü et al, 2010; Viskari et al, 2000).…”

How the Atmosphere over Eastern Himalaya, India is Polluted with Carbonyl Compounds? Temporal Variability and Identification of Sources

“…Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and hexanaldehyde have the common primary source of gasoline driven vehicular emission (Corrêa et al, 2003;Jacobson, 2007;Tunsaringkarn et al, 2012). In addition to the vehicular emission, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde could also be produced from secondary photochemical production from other primary VOCs.…”