Health Risk Assessment of Ambient Air Concentrations of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX) in Service Station Environments

Abstract

A comprehensive evaluation of the adverse health effects of human exposures to BTX from service station emissions was carried out using BTX exposure data from the scientific literature. The data was grouped into different scenarios based on activity, location and occupation and plotted as Cumulative Probability Distributions (CPD) plots. Health risk was evaluated for each scenario using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) at 50% (CEXP50) and 95% (CEXP95) exposure levels. HQ50 and HQ95 > 1 were obtained with benzene in the scenario for service station attendants and mechanics repairing petrol dispensing pumps indicating a possible health risk. The risk was minimized for service stations using vapour recovery systems which greatly reduced the benzene exposure levels. HQ50 and HQ95 < 1 were obtained for all other scenarios with benzene suggesting minimal risk for most of the exposed population. However, HQ50 and HQ95 < 1 was also found with toluene and xylene for all scenarios, suggesting minimal health risk. The lifetime excess Cancer Risk (CR) and Overall Risk Probability for cancer on exposure to benzene was calculated for all Scenarios and this was higher amongst service station attendants than any other scenario.

Spirometric evaluation of the pulmonary functions in the petrol pump workers of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India

“…Gasoline is a complex combination of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons of which Benzene, Toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX) are some of its vital constituents and considered among the most hazardous compounds for the human health, particularly benzene, which has been classified as group A and class 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) respectively. 3,5 In order to reduce the workplace exposures to these compounds, various International organizations, like OSHA, NIOSH, ACIGH, European Union, WHO have laid their standards and guidelines in the form of occupational exposure limits and air quality guideline values for exposure to benzene, toluene and xylene. 5 In India, too, the Central pollution control board (CPCB) in 2009 revised and established the annual average ambient air quality standard concentration of benzene to be 5 micrograms per meter cube.…”

A review of nanoparticle‐enhanced membrane distillation membranes: membrane synthesis and applications in water treatment

“…sodium, magnesium, calcium, chlorides, fluorides, cyanides, sulphates and carbonates) pollutants into the water bodies . Most of these organic contaminants are carcinogenic and often cause illnesses and deaths when ingested . However, inorganic compounds (e.g.…”

“…5 Most of these organic contaminants are carcinogenic and often cause illnesses and deaths when ingested. 6 However, inorganic compounds (e.g. NaCl, NaF, KNO 3 , MgSO 4 , and FePO 4 ) increase the water salinity and consequently affect the quality of water for further drinking, irrigation, and industrial applications.…”

Biochemical assessment of the hepatic functions of the petrol pump workers of Jaipur city

“…[9] The European Union and the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards, U.K, have announced that the mean annual standards of ambient air for benzene to be 5 µg/m 3 and 16.25 µg/m 3 , respectively. [10] In India, the central pollution control board has established 5 µg/m 3 as the annual average ambient air quality standard concentration for benzene. [11] However, studies conducted by Majumdar et al in Kolkata, [12] Sehgal et al in Delhi, [13] Singla et al in Agra, [14] recognized high concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene at the filling stations far exceeding than those laid down by the Indian national ambient air quality standards.…”