• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.312-316
• /
• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
• /
• 2002.10b
• /
• pp.423-424
• /
• 2002

Amount of regulated emissions (CO, $NO_x$, HC), and emissions of some groups of organic substances (volatile hydrocarbons, polyaromatics, and aldehydes) were measured in the standard ECE 83 test on spark ignition engine of a passenger car. The influence of the engine oil composition (mineral or fully synthetic) was examined. For both engine oils, exhaust emissions were measured with fresh oil as well as used oil at the end of the oil drain interval. Unleaded petrol and CNG were used as fuels in all experiments performed. The main conclusion made from the tests is that polyaromatics is the only part of th ε exhaust emissions that was influenced with the nature of the engine oil. Effect on the other components of emissions (aldehydes and VOC) was negligible. Emissions of polyaromatics were almost twice higher for fresh mineral as for fresh fully synthetic oil. The amount of polyaromatics in the exhaust emissions increased slightly with mileage for fully synthetic and substantially more for mineral engine oil.