Assessment of Benzene Exposures in the Working Environment at Gasoline Stations

EnvironmentAsia

Sunisa Chaiklieng¹  Pornnapa Sug aravetsiri²  Chatsuda Pimpasaeng³ 

[1] Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, KhonKaen University, Khon Kaen, 10400 Thailand;Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, KhonKaen University, Khon Kaen, 10400 Thailand;Dr. PH, Faculty of Public Health, KhonKaen University, Khon Kaen, 10400 Thailand;

关键词: ambient air;    personal sampling;    fueling workers;    cashiers;    petroleum;    benzene;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study aimed to investigate benzene exposure in the working environment of workers at gasoline stations. Ambient air (n=20) and inhaled air samples (n=101) of benzene were collected in the city of Khon Kaen, Thailand and analyzed with gas chromatography (GC-FID). Data records were also kept of the amounts of various petroleum products sold. The results of inhaled air benzene indicated the range concentration from 0.03 ppb to 65.71 ppb and showed significant differences between concentrations of each zone (p<0.05). The highest mean concentration was found in suburban stations (35.55 ppb), followed by urban stations (18.19 ppb), and rural stations (2.52 ppb). The highest mean concentration of ambient air was found in urban stations (45.55 ppb). Regarding different job functions, the benzene concentration of fueling workers in the inhalation zone (27.29 ppb) was significantly higher than that of cashiers (0.56 ppb). The amounts of petroleum products with high benzene content sold were relatively consistent with inhaled benzene concentration, indicated by the significant differences between suburban and rural zones (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study found the inhaled air benzene concentration ranged 0.03 to 65.71 ppb depending on locations and job functions of workers. Therefore, workers should be protected of adversely affected health from long-term exposure by training on safe working practice and awareness of the different risks associated with their job functions, locations of stations and daily amounts of petroleum products sold.

【 授权许可】

Unknown