Genotoxicity in Filling Station Attendants Exposed to Petroleum Hydrocarbons (original) (raw)
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Molecular Cytogenetics, 2014
Background: Chronic exposure of BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene) may lead to progressive degeneration of bone marrow, aplastic anemia and/or leukemia. In Brazil there is no self-service fuel in gas stations and attendants fill the fuel themselves. Due to this they are chronically exposed to high concentration of BTX. Occupational exposure to benzene has been associated with increased chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome painting (wcp) probes allows the rapid detection of chromosomal aberration. In the present study three-color wcp probes for chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 were used for monitoring 60 gas station attendants. Results: Blood tests were done and interviews were conducted for each worker. For searching for possible associations between the clinical characteristics and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations the workers were divided into two groups (≤ 10 chromosomal abnormalities per 1,000 metaphases and > 10 chromosomal abnormalities per 1,000 metaphases).The studied workers had a low median age (36 year), albeit long period of BTX exposure (median was 16 years). Low prevalence of smoking and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages were found in this population. The cytogenetic analysis showed 16.6% (10/60) of workers with a high frequency of chromosomal abnormalities (>10 chromosomal abnormalities per 1,000 metaphases). Translocations were the most frequently observed chromosome aberration. The statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences in skin color (p = 0.002) and a weak significant differences in gender (p = 0.052) distribution between the two groups. Conclusion: 16.6% of the studied population showed elevated frequencies of chromosomal abnormalities, which is highly likely to be correlated with their exposure to BTX during their work. Therefore, further studies are needed for better characterize the work associated damage of the genome in gas station workers. It is necessary to better understand the risks that these workers are exposed, so that we can be effective in preventing diseases and maintaining the health of these workers and possibly the offspring.
Exposing to the high-level of BTXs concentration can occur in the oil-dependent industries and may cause considerable adverse impacts on the health of employees. The main objective of the present study firstly is determining the exposure of petrochemical and oil depot workers to benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene (BTXs), and secondly is estimating the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) and non-carcinogenic risk using the hazard quotient (HQ). This cross-sectional study is conducted on 85 workers at petrochemical (34 subjects) and oil depot (51 subjects) industries of Iran in 2016. In order to determine the exposure concentrations of BTXs, through inhaling way, individual sampling was carried out according to the NIOSH 1501 method. Then, estimating LCR of benzene, and non-carcinogenic risk of benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene, using the HQ, has been conducted regards to criteria recommended by USEPA. The mean exposure concentration of benzene among the oil depot workers was higher than the petrochemical workers, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.162). The mean exposure concentration of benzene in the oil depot workers (2.1 ± 2.53mg/m 3) was higher than the occupational exposure limits provided by the American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH_TLV = 1.67mg/m 3). The mean concentration of toluene in the exposed workers of the oil depot (46.81 ± 22.43mg/m 3) was higher than the exposed workers of petrochemical (41.83 ± 30.06mg/m 3), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.412). The results of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed high-risk exposure level in the both investigated groups. The mean LCR of benzene in the oil depot workers was higher than the petrochemical workers (1.681E-3 and 1.163E-3, for the oil depot and petrochemical, respectively). The LCR of benzene and HQ of BTXs in the both investigated groups were higher than the reference values. In order to reduce occupational exposure to BTXs in the investigated oil depot and petrochemical, control measures should be taken in the future, as soon as possible.
Evaluation of genotoxicity in a group of workers from a petroleum refinery aromatics plant
Mutation Research-genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 2006
Petroleum refinery workers are potentially exposed to a wide range of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons and chemical substances used in the manufacturing of petroleum derivatives. Benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) are produced by distillation in the aromatics units and used as raw materials for petrol and petrochemical products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to BTX in a petroleum refinery in the North of Portugal. The exposed group consisted of 48 workers from the aromatics plant and the control group consisted of 30 persons matched for various confounding factors.
Applied Environmental Research
This research was conducted to estimate exposure and risk of exposure to BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene)by a cross-sectional studying among pregnant women who lived in the vicinity of a petro-chemical industrial estatearea. Personal exposure was monitored by environmental and biological sampling.Other relevant data were gathered by a structured questionnaire for analysis. The relationship between BTEX exposure and potential risk factors was determined by multiple linear regression. Average BTEX exposure levels were 18.89, 29.40, 10.26, and 17.85μg m-3, respectively, which were significantlyhigher than the control group. Urinary metabolite levels of muconic acid(t,t-MA), hippuric acid (HA),mandelic acid (MA), andmethyl-hippuric acid (mHA)were significantly higher in pregnant residents living in the vicinity of the petro-chemical industrial estate area.The correlation between women’s individual exposure to BTEX and theirurinary metabolites showed significantlydifferen...
Occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers to BTEX compounds
The international journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2012
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are the most important toxic volatile compounds in the air and could be easily absorbed through the respiratory tract. In recent years, the risk of exposure to BTEX compounds, especially benzene as a carcinogen, has been considered in petroleum depot stations. To assess the occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers in Iran to BTEX compounds. After completing a questionnaire and assessing occupational exposure to BTEX compounds, 78 (46 exposed and 32 non-exposed) depot workers were randomly selected to participate in this study. Air sampling and analysis of BTEX was conducted according to the NIOSH method No. 1501. Analysis of urinary hippuric acid, as an indicator of toluene exposure, was carried out according to NIOSH method No. 8300. Personal monitoring of the high exposure group to BTEX compounds was repeated to verify the results obtained in the first phase of the monitoring. Among the 9 operating groups studied, occupation...
Iranian journal of health, safety and environment, 2018
Exposing to the high-level of BTXs concentration can occur in the oil-dependent industries and may cause considerable adverse impacts on the health of employees. The main objective of the present study firstly is determining the exposure of petrochemical and oil depot workers to benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene (BTXs), and secondly is estimating the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) and non-carcinogenic risk using the hazard quotient (HQ). This cross-sectional study is conducted on 85 workers at petrochemical (34 subjects) and oil depot (51 subjects) industries of Iran in 2016. In order to determine the exposure concentrations of BTXs, through inhaling way, individual sampling was carried out according to the NIOSH 1501 method. Then, estimating LCR of benzene, and non-carcinogenic risk of benzene, toluene, ortho and methyl xylenes, and p-xylene, using the HQ, has been conducted regards to criteria recommended by USEPA. The mean exposure concentration of benzene amon...
Health symptoms associated with occupational exposure of gasoline station workers to BTEX compounds
Atmospheric Environment, 2020
Workers in gasoline stations may experience health symptoms due to inhalation to benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) species in their work environment. Air samplers installed in gasoline stations indicate exposure concentration during the workday as high as 225-723 μg benzene/m 3 , in excess of the NIOSH exposure limits of 135 μg benzene/m 3 (adjusted for the actual exposure time of workers in this study). According to a deterministic health assessment, there was an elevated cancer risk for workers due to exposure to benzene (4.2 × 10 −4 to 1.4 × 10 −3 ) and ethyl benzene (1.1 × 10 −4 and 3.5 × 10 −4 ), which were greater than the acceptable limit of 1 × 10 −6 . Stochastic exposure assessment with a Monte Carlo simulation revealed serious carcinogenic risks to all workers in the gasoline station, regardless of whether they were operating the gasoline pumps or doing other tasks, such as collecting money. In response to a health questionnaire, the dominant symptoms reported by gasoline station workers were headache (50%), depression (40%), fatigue (25%), and throat irritation (20%). We recommend better ventilation systems to remove BTEX species from the environment, either by installing fans or building gasoline stations in locations with good natural air exchange.
Genotoxic changes after low-level solvent and fuel exposure on aircraft maintenance personnel
Mutagenesis, 1997
Individuals may be exposed to solvent mixtures and fuel either at work or home, through air, water and food contamination. Few studies have addressed the genotoxic effects of mixed, low-level exposure to fuel and solvent. This was an optimally designed study where each subject was sampled prior to exposure and after 15 and 30 weeks while exposed, in a repeated measures design with each subject serving as his own control. Fifty men aged between 18 and 50, working on aircraft equipment operation and maintenance at a military installation were included. Eight unexposed men were concurrently sampled. Sisterchromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) frequency were measured in conjunction with air sampling and expired breath analysis for jet fuel (JP-4), 1,1,1trichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, xylenes, toluene and methylene chloride. Exposure levels measured by industrial hygiene were very low (all means <6 p.p.m.), <10% of the OSHA standard. Expired breath levels were also low, <25 p.p.b. A small but statistically significant increase in the frequency of SCE occurred after 30 weeks of exposure for sheet metal workers (P = 0.003) and for painters (P = 0.05). The MN frequency in the sheet metal workers initially showed a statistically significant increase, but by 30 weeks had decreased. Cigarette smoking, alcohol and caffeine use were not associated with changes from baseline for either MN or SCE. Smokers, however, had significantly higher values of SCEs at baseline than did nonsmokers. In summary, these findings suggest that small increases in SCEs in particular, may serve as a sensitive biologic indicator of low level hydrocarbon exposure in as much as statistically significant changes occurred in the highest exposed groups but not in the low or no exposure groups. Chance occurrence or exposures to other occupational or non-occupational agents cannot be eliminated as a cause of the study findings.
2020
Introduction. The use of BTX as a solvent in the production process potentially causes negative impact on workers, especially on DNA degeneration and MDA levels in workers of industrial sector.Aims. This study aims to determine the relationship between concentration, RQ and ECR of BTX, MDA levelsand DNA degeneration in industrial workers exposed to BTX in Surabaya.Method. This research was conducted in industries in Surabaya that use BTX as a solvent in its production process. It was conducted in Ketintang, Jemursari, Kalijudan, AUP and Romokalisari. The research design used was cross sectional with 81 samples. The variables studied in this study were the concentration, RQ, ECR of BTX, MDA and DNA degeneration. The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test.Result. There was a relationship between the concentration of benzene, toluene and MDA level in workers exposed to BTX with a P value <0.05. There was a relationship between the concentration of toluene, ECR of tolu...
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2013
The gas station attendants are exposed daily to chemical agents that compose gasoline, such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and the exposure to these agents can cause a variety of effects on the human health. Among the various possible cell alterations associated with these exposures are the formation of micronuclei and of binucleated cells which are used as indicators of clastogenic action. Benzene, the main carcinogenic agent, is metabolized to more soluble forms and easily excreted by isoenzymes of cytochrome P450, such as CYP1A1. The CYP1A1 gene is highly polymorphic and one of its allele variations can be detected by the use of restriction endonucleasis MspI and is originated by the transition of a thymine by a cytosine (3798T>C), resulting in the polymorphic allele CYP1A1*2A. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic damage induced by the exposure to BTEX and to associate it with the polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 and NR1I3 genes. Samples of exfoliated cells from the oral mucosa of 27 gas station attendants and from a control group were collected. The results found show that the group exposed to BTEX presents significantly higher alterations than those in the control group for micronuclei (MN; 6.85 ± 1.33 vs. 2.96 ± 1.91, P < 0.001) and for the total of nuclear alterations observed (MN + binucleated cells (BNC); 9.59±4.73 vs. 5.07± 2.21, P < 0.001). When comparing the cytological alterations and the genotypes among the exposed individuals for the polymorphism 3798T>C of the CYP1A1 gene, homozygotes TT present MN + BNC significantly higher than carriers of the allele C (10.88±5.36 vs. 5.33±2.52, P00.028). No association was observed in the control group or for the NR1I3 gene. These results show that molecular and cytogenetic data can be used in the future as tools to monitor individuals exposed to such compounds.