Health risk assessment associated with inhalation exposure of carbonyl compounds to gasoline workers in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Human risk assessment of volatile organic compounds (carbonyl group) via inhalation exposure route in gasoline workers was studied during February 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. The objectives were to measure carbonyl concentrations in gasoline station and to assess health risk of gasoline workers in 4 gasoline stations located in urban area and suburb area. Of each gasoline station, 2 workers were randomly recruited. The results showed the participants age was in the range of 18-36 years old. The average weight (mean ± SD) was 56.7 ± 8.1 kg. The average working time of urban and suburb area was 9.3 and 10.0 h/day, respectively. Exposure assessment of gasoline worker was calculated using reasonable maximum exposure (RME) at the 95th percentile; the inhalation intake of carcinogenic carbonyl i.e. formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in workers was in the range of 1.90 × 10⁻⁵ to 4.11 × 10⁻³ mg/kg/day. Risk characterization of cancer was in the range of 2 workers in 10 million to 2 workers in one hundred thousand. For non-carcinogenic carbonyl i.e. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, valeradehyde, propionaldehyde, and butyraldehyde, the inhalation intake of non-carcinogenic carbonyl in workers was in the range of 4.88 × 10⁻³ to 1.16 µg/m³. To assess non-carcinogenic health effects, the Hazard Index (HI) was used; the results showed that gasoline workers may not at risk regarding inhalation exposure of non-carcinogenic health because the HI was not greater than the acceptable level (HI < 1).