Assessment of Health Risk of Occupational Exposure to Benzene, Toluene and Ethyl Benzene (BTEX) in One of Mahshahr Petrochemical Companies

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most important sources of contaminants is chemicals that over time cause severe problems for employees who are exposed to various chemicals in the refining process units. The purpose of this study was to determine the highest level of exposure to BTEX compounds and to assess the health risk caused by exposure of refinery personnel in a Mahshahr petrochemical company.

Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted in one of the mahshahr petrochemical companies in 2016-2017.  In this study, we first identified the causes of workplace harm by occupational groups. According to NIOSH method number 1501, air sampling and BTEX analysis were performed. To analyze the results, SPSS software was used for data analysis. Finally, the risk assessment was done in accordance with the method number 84101042 of Oil Ministry.

Results: The results of this study showed that benzene with a mean density of 0.58 ppm in the work area of site man, 0.43 ppm for shift workers and a density of 0.38 ppm for the presence of the supervisor in The location of the station has the highest density of ethyl benzene and toluene. Also, the results of the study showed that the risk level and the risk rating of the pollutants in the petrochemical company (site man) were 66.7% low risk, 8.3% Percentage of high risk and 12.5% of risk are moderate and very high.

conclusion: According to the results, benzene has the highest health risk of petrochemicals produced in petrochemicals, and due to the high level of exposure to benzene, it is recommended to take corrective and preventive measures to eliminate or reduce its exposure.