Fatah GHangi Zadeh; Abdolreza Karbassi; Naser Mehrdadi
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Benzene is one of the primary volatile organic compounds in urban air pollution. Beside its environmental implications, benzene poses various health risks to urban inhabitants. This study aimed to measure benzene levels at fuel stations (petrol pumps) in a specific area of Tehran ...
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Background and Purpose: Benzene is one of the primary volatile organic compounds in urban air pollution. Beside its environmental implications, benzene poses various health risks to urban inhabitants. This study aimed to measure benzene levels at fuel stations (petrol pumps) in a specific area of Tehran and model its dispersion to determine safe distances from the release point. Materials and Methods: The study, assessed benzene pollutant concentrations at 11 selected gas stations in Tehran’s 4th district over one-year using gas chromatography with a GC-FID flame ionization detector. Additionally, pollution dispersion modeling was conducted using the AEROMOD model, while the WISER software determined safe distances to aid emergency responses to chemical releases exceeding standard limits. Results: Benzene measurements at the selected stations indicated average emissions of 3.07 µg/ in spring, 3.50 µg/ in summer, 2.95 µg/ in autumn, and 2.35 µg/ in winter. Notably, levels surpassed standards at three locations, posing environmental and health risks to residents’ station 53 and the Takhti sampling area exhibited the highest and lowest benzene emissions, respectively, at 4.24 µg/ and 1.62 µg/ . The dispersion model revealed a maximum annual benzene concentration of approximately 7.89 µg/ , exceeding the standard limit. Safe distances determined by the WISER model ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 µg/ , extending between 50 and 300 meters from the sampling area. Conclusion: The study concludes that benzene emissions are higher in summer and lower in winter at the sampled locations. Distance from emission sources correlates with reduced benzene concentrations, thus minimizing population exposure. Safe areas were identified based on these findings. Given the health risks posed benzene emissions from gas stations, particularly in locations exceeding standard levels, targeted monitoring and control programs are imperative municipal areas and fuel stations.
Lida Eftekhari Vash; Ali Reza Dehnad; Mohammad Majdizadeh
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Considering the role of hydrocarbon pollution in cancer, this research aims to investigate the degradation rate of benzene and toluene using bacteria extracted from soil, as well as to examine the compounds resulting from this decomposition.Materials and Methods: Thirty soil samples, ...
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Background and Purpose: Considering the role of hydrocarbon pollution in cancer, this research aims to investigate the degradation rate of benzene and toluene using bacteria extracted from soil, as well as to examine the compounds resulting from this decomposition.Materials and Methods: Thirty soil samples, including agricultural soil and soil contaminated with hydrocarbons, were collected from the northwestern provinces of Iran. Bacteria were cultured in agar medium and subsequently extracted. To assess the decomposition of benzene and toluene, bacteria were separately cultured in a mineral culture medium containing a specific amount of benzene or toluene, and the percentage of decomposition was determined. Additionally, GC-Mass analysis was conducted to identify the compounds resulting from the decomposition of benzene and toluene. The type of bacteria responsible for the degradation was determined using biochemical methods and PCRResults: All the extracted bacteria exhibited the ability to decompose benzene and toluene, with the highest decomposition rates observed in bacteria extracted from refinery soil, averaging 55.85% for benzene and 49.39% for toluene. Agricultural and refinery soil bacteria displayed a higher decomposition rate for benzene compared to toluene. The majority of the compounds obtained from the decomposition had lower toxicity than benzene and toluene. Furthermore, the presence of the Streptomyces strain was confirmed in environments with the highest decomposition rates for benzene and toluene.Conclusion: Streptomyces strains indigenous to soils contaminated with hydrocarbons demonstrated a high efficiency in converting benzene and toluene into organic compounds, reducing the associated risks.
Samad Jalilian; Sima Sabzalipour; Ebrahim Rajabzadeh Ghatrami; Amir Hossain Mazarei
Abstract
Background and Purpose: BTEX compounds cause adverse effects on thehealth of employees in various industries, including the oil industry. This studywas conducted with the aim of measuring these compounds and their effecton serum lipid parameters of Abadan oil refinery workers.Materials and Methods: In ...
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Background and Purpose: BTEX compounds cause adverse effects on thehealth of employees in various industries, including the oil industry. This studywas conducted with the aim of measuring these compounds and their effecton serum lipid parameters of Abadan oil refinery workers.Materials and Methods: In this study, 80 workers (40 exposed peoplefrom operational units and 40 non-exposed people from administrativedepartments) were investigated. Sampling and measurement of employees’respiratory area was done using individual sampling pump and measurementof lipid parameters of employees’ blood was done using commercial kits ofPars Azmoun company.Results: The obtained results showed that the average concentration oftoluene, ethylbenzene and xylene compounds in the respiratory area ofthe exposed employees was lower than the standard limit, but the averageconcentration of benzene compound was higher than the recommendedstandard limit. The results obtained from the comparison of blood serum lipidparameters showed that there is no significant difference between the twogroups of exposed and non-exposed employees. The results of Spearman’stest did not find any significant relationship between these parameters anddemographic characteristics in the two groups. However, Pearson’s statisticaltest showed that there is a significant relationship between some blood serumlipid parameters in two groups, and in both groups of employees, the averageblood plasma lipid parameter was higher than the normal range.Conclusion: The results showed that the concentration of benzene compoundis higher than the permissible limit of the standards and the effect ofbenzene on employees should be prevented with adequate engineering andmanagement controls and periodic inspection.