| Title: | "Assessment of occupational exposure to BTEX compounds at a bus diesel-refueling bay: A case study in Johannesburg, South Africa" |
| Author(s): | Moolla R; Curtis CJ; Knight J; |
| Address: | "School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS, 2050, South Africa. Electronic address: Raeesa.Moolla@wits.ac.za. School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS, 2050, South Africa. Electronic address: Christopher.Curtis@wits.ac.za. School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS, 2050, South Africa. Electronic address: Jasper.Knight@wits.ac.za" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.122 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1879-1026 (Electronic) 0048-9697 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Of increasing concern is pollution by volatile organic compounds, with particular reference to five aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and two isomeric xylenes; BTEX). These pollutants are classified as hazardous air pollutants. Due to the potential health risks associated with these pollutants, BTEX concentrations were monitored at a bus diesel-refueling bay, in Johannesburg, South Africa, using gas chromatography, coupled with a photo-ionization detector. Results indicate that o-xylene (29-50%) and benzene (13-33%) were found to be the most abundant species of total BTEX at the site. Benzene was within South African occupational limits, but above international occupational exposure limits. On the other hand, occupational concentrations of toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylenes were within national and international occupational limits throughout the monitoring period, based on 8-hour workday weighted averages. Ethyl-benzene and p-xylene concentrations, during winter, correspond to activity at the site, and thus idling of buses during refueling may elevate results. Overall, occupational air quality at the refueling bay is a matter of health concern, especially with regards to benzene exposure, and future reduction strategies are crucial. Discrepancies between national and international limit values merit further investigation to determine whether South African guidelines for benzene are sufficiently precautionary" |
| Keywords: | Air Pollutants/*analysis Benzene/*analysis Benzene Derivatives/analysis Environmental Monitoring/methods Occupational Exposure/*analysis/statistics & numerical data South Africa Toluene/*analysis Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis Xylenes/analysis Btex; |
| Notes: | "MedlineMoolla, Raeesa Curtis, Christopher J Knight, Jasper eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2015/08/19 Sci Total Environ. 2015 Dec 15; 537:51-7. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.122. Epub 2015 Aug 14" |
