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Assessment of Occupational Exposure to BTEX in a Petrochemical Plant via Urinary Biomarkers

Author

Listed:
  • Višnja Mihajlović

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical Faculty “Mihajlo Pupin”, University of Novi Sad, 23101 Zrenjanin, Serbia)

  • Nenad Grba

    (Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Jan Suđi

    (Institute of Occupational Health, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Diane Eichert

    (Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, 34149 Trieste, Italy)

  • Smilja Krajinović

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Milivoj B. Gavrilov

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Slobodan B. Marković

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

Abstract

This work presents the results of the first Serbian monitoring campaign performed to assess the occupational exposure of petrochemical industry workers to benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and xylene (X), known collectively as BTEX. The following urinary biomarkers were investigated: phenol, hippuric acid, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, and creatinine. BTEX compounds were collected in 2014 using Casella passive samplers. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to put in evidence the correlation between the BTEX measured in air and the concentration of urinary biomarkers. While the results indicate an elevated presence of benzene in the air in the working environment studied that surpasses the national and European Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL), the levels of the remaining (TEX) parameters measured were below the OEL. The high relative standard deviations (RSD) for the concentrations of each BTEX compound (68–161 mg m −3 ) point toward an intensive occupational exposure to BTEX. This was confirmed by relevant urine biomarkers, particularly by the mean values of phenol, which were ten and fourteen times higher than the ones found in the control group (14–12 mg g −1 of creatinine). On average, workers are at a higher risk of developing cancer (6.1 × 10 −3 ), with risk levels exceeding the US EPA limits. Benzene levels should therefore be maintained under tight controls and monitored via proper urinary biomarkers.

Suggested Citation

  • Višnja Mihajlović & Nenad Grba & Jan Suđi & Diane Eichert & Smilja Krajinović & Milivoj B. Gavrilov & Slobodan B. Marković, 2021. "Assessment of Occupational Exposure to BTEX in a Petrochemical Plant via Urinary Biomarkers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7178-:d:582683
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wissawa Malakan & Sarawut Thepanondh & Akira Kondo, 2022. "Modeling of Inhalation Health Risk of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Vicinity of Maptaphut Petroleum and Petrochemical Industrial Estate, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Ning Qin & Yuanyuan Zhu & Yan Zhong & Jing Tian & Jihua Li & Laiguo Chen & Ruifang Fan & Fusheng Wei, 2022. "External Exposure to BTEX, Internal Biomarker Response, and Health Risk Assessment of Nonoccupational Populations near a Coking Plant in Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-16, January.

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