The Toxicological Effects of Heavy Fuel Oil Category Substances

Abstract

Heavy fuel oil (HFO) category substances are used to manufacture HFO, a product used in industrial boilers and marine diesel engines. Commercial HFOs and blending stream components are substances of complex and variable composition, composed of C 20 to >C 50 hydrocarbons, although lower molecular weight material may be added to reduce viscosity and improve flow characteristics. An HFO blending stream (catalytically cracked clarified oil [CCCO]) was tested for target organ and developmental toxicity in rats following repeated dermal administration at doses of 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/d. In the repeated dose study, there was evidence of increased liver weights, reduced thymus weights, and reductions in hematological parameters with an overall no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 5 mg/kg/d. In the developmental toxicity test, there were significant reductions in fetal survival, significant increases in resorption frequency, and significantly reduced fetal weights with an overall NOAEL of 5 mg/kg/d. These target organ and developmental effects are associated with the types and levels of aromatic constituents in these substances. Among HFO blending streams, CCCOs have the highest levels of aromatics and, because they produce the characteristic toxicological effects at the lowest levels, are considered as ''reasonable worst-case examples'' for this group of substances. Other HFO category members with lower levels of aromatics produce similar effects but have higher NOAELs. The potential for target organ and developmental effects of other HFO category members can be predicted from information on the types and levels of the aromatic constituents present in these substances.

Study the oxidative stress parameters in serum and saliva of the workers at the heavy fuel oil combustion unite

“…The cigarette smoke is one of the major source of free radicals and many oxidants and pro-oxidant were reported to be present in the tobacco smoke [24]. Therefore to look at the influence of the smoking on the measured oxidative stress parameters in the workers at the HFO combustion unit.…”

The Effects of Air Pollution Exposure on The Different Serum and Saliva Proteins Levels: A Pilot Study on The Workers at HFO Combustion Unit in AL- Dora Electricity Station/ Baghdad, Iraq

“…And this becomes one of the major public health concern worldwide resulting in multiple chronic disease which associate air pollution (1,2) . Heavy fuel oil (HFO), which is referred to as bunker fuel, or residual fuel oil, consists of remnants of petroleum sources which is produced upon the extraction of higher hydrocarbons quality using thermal and catalytic cracking (3) . Thus, HFO composition is highly variable, since it is often blended, or mixed streams including carbon numbers ranges from 20more than 50.…”

The Mammalian Toxicological Hazards of Petroleum-Derived Substances

“…The predicted effects for other HFO components, based on their PAC contents, supported the view that CCCO was a worst case for substances in this category. 75 The systemic and developmental hazards of any specific HFO stream can be predicted from its composition using the PAC models. 34,37,38 Lubricant base oils (LBOs) are substances used in the manufacture of formulated lubricants and greases.…”

“…68 The CCCO causes skin tumors in repeated dose dermal studies in mice. 69,70 In developmental toxicity tests, CCCO reduces fetal survival and increases the frequency of resorption 33,[71][72][73][74][75] but has no effects on reproductive parameters. 63 Repeated dose and developmental toxicity tests of CCCO, conducted as part of the HPV program, produced results consistent with previous reports.…”