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Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (Btex) in a Composite Manufacturing Plant: Monte-Carlo Simulations Publisher



Khoshakhlagh AH1 ; Askari Majdabadi M2 ; Yazdanirad S3, 4 ; Carlsen L5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
  4. 4. School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
  5. 5. Awareness Center, Roskilde, Denmark

Source: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment Published:2023


Abstract

This study aimed to assess the possible non-cancer and cancer risks associated with BTEX in a composite manufacturing plant for the first time. Air samples of BTEX were gathered from the breathing zone of participants based on the method of NIOSH 1501 using an adsorbent tube containing activated coconut charcoal and a pump at the recommended flow rate between 50 and 200 milliliters per min. After the preparation, the samples were analyzed using GC mass spectrometry. To evaluate the non-cancer and cancer risks of the pollutants, the method proposed by the United States environmental protection agency (USEPA) was applied. The mean concentrations of BTEX were found lower than the threshold limit values (TLV). The non-carcinogenic risk values of benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were found to be 46.00, 6.96, and 22.4 times, respectively, higher than the threshold levels set by the US EPA. Whereas the risk of toluene was lower than the acceptable limit. Moreover, the results point to a specific risk of cancer for the workers exposed to benzene and ethylbenzene in this industry, indicating a potential for 1.66 and 1.91 additional cases per 100 workers exposed to benzene and ethylbenzene, respectively. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
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