Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the adverse effects of benzene and toluene exposure in gasoline station workers via biological screening and health risk assessment. Ambient air benzene and toluene concentrations were monitored and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID). Urinary samples to test trans,trans-muconic acid (tt-MA) and hippuric acid levels were collected after shift work from 158 refueling workers and 34 cashiers; any adverse symptoms were noted in the interview and hazard index (HI) values were estimated for workers’ adverse effects. There was a significant correlation between benzene and toluene concentrations at gasoline stations (r = 0.827). The levels of detected tt-MA and hippuric acid, metabolites of benzene and toluene, respectively, were higher in refueling workers (IQR = 537.88 µg/g creatinine (Cr), 316.41 mg/g Cr) than in cashiers (IQR = 208.68 µg/g Cr, 236.17 mg/g Cr). The concentrations of benzene and locations of stations were associated with detection of tt-MA. Adverse symptoms of benzene and toluene exposure, i.e., sore throat, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and unconsciousness were reported. The hazard index values from exposure to benzene and toluene among refueling workers were found to have statistical significance. The conclusion is that carrying out health surveillance with benzene exposure monitoring and health screening can be an important aspect of a strategy to reduce toluene exposure in gasoline workers.

摘要

这项横断面研究旨在通过生物筛查和健康风险评估来评估苯和甲苯暴露对加油站工作人员的不利影响。通过气相色谱法 (GC-FID) 监测和分析环境空气中苯和甲苯的浓度。轮班工作后，收集了 158 名加油工人和 34 名收银员的尿液样本，用于检测反式、反式粘康酸 (tt-MA) 和马尿酸水平；在访谈中记录了任何不良症状，并估计了工人不良影响的危害指数 (HI) 值。加油站的苯和甲苯浓度之间存在显着相关性（r = 0.827）。加油工人检测到的 tt-MA 和马尿酸（苯和甲苯的代谢物）的水平分别较高（IQR = 537.88 µg/g 肌酐 (Cr)，316. 41 mg/g Cr) 比收银员 (IQR = 208.68 µg/g Cr, 236.17 mg/g Cr)。苯浓度和站点位置与 tt-MA 的检测有关。据报道，苯和甲苯暴露的不良症状，即喉咙痛、嗜睡、肌肉无力和意识不清。发现加油工人接触苯和甲苯的危害指数值具有统计学意义。结论是，通过苯暴露监测和健康筛查进行健康监测可以成为减少汽油工人甲苯暴露策略的一个重要方面。据报道，嗜睡、肌肉无力和意识不清。发现加油工人接触苯和甲苯的危害指数值具有统计学意义。结论是，通过苯暴露监测和健康筛查进行健康监测可以成为减少汽油工人甲苯暴露策略的一个重要方面。据报道，嗜睡、肌肉无力和意识不清。发现加油工人接触苯和甲苯的危害指数值具有统计学意义。结论是，通过苯暴露监测和健康筛查进行健康监测可以成为减少汽油工人甲苯暴露策略的一个重要方面。