Benzene Exposure and Health Effects on Residents in Mab Ta Phut Pollution Control Area, Rayong Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study was designed for exposure assessment of Benzene and its health effects on residents in Mab Ta Phut Control Area Rayong province. Questionnaire, blood test for CBC BUN, Creatinine, SGOT SGPT, urine t,t muconic acid (BEI of Benzene), GPS of participants was collected during February-September 2010. In all, 10,238 participants were divided into adult and student groups. Chi square and odds ratio, 95%CI were used in data analysis.

In the adult group, 6,733 participants were mostly female (72.6%) and resided in 2 sub-dis-tricts: Noen Phra (21.7%) and Mab Ta Phut (21.4%). The average distance from their houses to the boundary of the industrial estate was 5.12 kms. It was found that factors affecting significant differences of levels of urine t,t muconic acid were distance from house to the boundary of the industrial estate, sex, age, history of exposure of VOCs, smoking status and alcohol drinking status. In the student group, 3,505 participants were mostly female (50.8%), aged 13 years on average and resided in Mab Ta Phut (32.4%), Huay Pong sub district (30.2%). They lived more than 10 years and were in high schools. Significant differences of levels of urine t,t muconic acid were shown to be under the influences of distance from school to the boundary of the industrial estate, sex and age.

It is recommended that emission control at sources and continuous emission monitoring should be considered in connection with an effective buffer zone.