Health Risk Assessment via Biomarker of Benzene Exposure in Gasoline Station Workers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential health risk via biomarker on benzene exposure of workers at gasoline stations. Data were collected by interviewing 98 gasoline station workers in Muang District, Khon Kaen Province, with the questionnaire on experiencing symptoms related to benzene toxic-ity. Spot urine was collected from each worker at the end of shift-work for determination of t, t-muconic acid (t,t-MA) as biomarker of benzene exposure. Health risk was calculated with health risk matrix considering benzene exposure via t,t-MA level and adverse symptoms related to benzene toxicity. The results showed that 68.40% of workers had experience of adverse symptoms related to benzene toxicity which were presented mostly at mild symptoms (60.20%), followed by the moderate severity (40.82%). Urinary t,t-MA was found at average of 141.31±245.47 microgram/gram creatinine (µg/g creatinine) and 12.00% of workers had t,t-MA higher than the recommended limit value (>500 µg/g creatinine). The health risk assessment matrix indicated that 36.70% had health risk higher than the acceptable risk levels that 2.04%, 6.12% and 28.57% were at high, medium and low risk, respectively. These findings suggest for the risk control by using the health surveillance program with annual monitoring for biomarker and air benzene concentration. In addition, training on worksafety is necessary for self-protection of workers on benzene exposure.