HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF OPERATORS IN GAS STATIONS FROM BENZENE EXPOSURE IN: A CASE STUDY IN MUANG DISTRICT, SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE

Abstract

The objective of this research was to measure the benzene concentration in ambient air and to assess the health risks of inhalation exposure to benzene of workers in gas stations. The study was conducted in three gas stations in Muang district, Sakon Nakhon Province. The exposure to benzene was monitored during work shifts for eight hours and further measured for ten days per station by volatile organic compound measuring instrument. The population consisted of 27 workers to assess the health risks. The results showed that average concentrations of benzene at three gas stations were 0.4311 ± 0.1640, 0.3664 ± 0.1399, and 0.4491 ± 0.2227 ppm, respectively. The average benzene concentrations of all gas stations were not exceeded the benzene standard of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (1 ppm). The health risks assessment of inhalation exposure to benzene of employees at the gas stations was 3.01x10^-5, 2.52x10^-5, and 6.30x10^-5 mg/kg-day for men and 2.43x10^-5, 2.12x10^-5, 7x10^-5 mg/kg-day for women, respectively. The cancer risk was 8.19x10^-7, 5.46x10^-7, and 1.64x10^-6 for men and 5.46x10^-7, 2.12x10^-5, and 7x10^-5 for women, respectively. That means the cancer risk of all workers in gas stations was not exceeded for carcinogenic effect. However, there should be performed regularly for the safety of the workers in gas station.