The Effects of Vehicle Ventilation System, Fuel Type and In-Cabin Smoking on the Concentration of Toluene and Ethylbenzene in Logan (190) Cars



Rismanchian M¹ ; Garsivaz M¹ ; Pourzamani H¹ ; Souri S^{2, 3} ; Maracy M⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: Iran Occupational Health Published:2014

Abstract

Background and aims: Toluene effects on the nervous system and causes numbness, lack of control in voluntary muscles and seizures. Ethyl benzene can also cause irritation of the eyes and throat and at higher concentrations it can damage the nervous system. Exposure with toluene and ethyl benzene may occur in different environments such as vehicle cabindue to possible emissions of vehicle interior decoration. The aim of this study was to estimate the concentrations of toluene and ethyl benzene with the internal source in the cabin of Logan (L90) cars. Methods: In this study, 44 vehicles were sampled. Samples were collected using personal sampling pumps and sorbent activated carbon. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with mass detector. A check list was used to collect the other required information. Results: The mean concentrations of toluene and ethyl benzene in vehicles were respectively 42.2 and 17.44 μg/m3. Conclusion: Toluene and ethyl benzene concentrations were significantly higher in the new cars. The natural ventilation significantly reduced the concentrations of toluene and ethyl benzene inside the cars. However, fuel type and smoking inside the car did not significantly contribute to the concentrations of these two compounds.