Exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) at Nigeria's petrol stations: a review of current status, challenges and future directions.

Introduction: In Nigeria, because of increasing population, urbanization, industrialization, and auto-mobilization, petrol is the most everyday non-edible commodity, and it is the leading petroleum product traded at the proliferating Nigeria's petrol stations (NPSs). However, because of inadequate occupational health and safety (OHS) regulatory measures, working at NPSs exposes petrol station workers (PSWs) to a large amount of hazardous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds. Methods: Studies on BTEX exposures among Nigerian PSWs are scarce. Thus, constraints in quantifying the health risks of BTEX limit stakeholders' ability to design practical risk assessment and risk control strategies. This paper reviews studies on the OHS of Nigerian PSWs at the NPSs. Results: Although knowledge, attitude, and practices on OHS in NPSs vary from one Nigeria's study setting to another, generally, safety practices, awareness about hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE), and the use of PPE among PSWs fell below expectations. Additionally, air quality at NPSs was poor, with a high content of BTEX and levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and formaldehyde higher than the World Health Organization guideline limits. Discussion: Currently, regulatory bodies' effectiveness and accountability in safeguarding OHS at NPSs leave much to be desired. Understanding the OHS of NPSs would inform future initiatives, policies, and regulations that would promote the health and safety of workers at NPSs. However, further studies need to be conducted to describe the vulnerability of PSWs and other Nigerians who are occupationally exposed to BTEX pollution. More importantly, controlling air pollution from hazardous air pollutants like BTEX is an essential component of OHS and integral to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, 7, and 11.

Risk Perception amongst Petrol Pump Attendants and Analysis of Indiscriminate Siting of Petrol Stations in Enugu Metropolis.

Proliferation and unregulated siting of petrol stations expose petrol pump attendants to occupational hazards. This study assessed knowledge, risk perception, occupational hazards of petrol pump attendants and site-suitability of petrol stations in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional analytical study of 210 pump attendants from 105 petrol stations spread within the city and highways. A structured pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and a check-list were used to collect data. Analyses were done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 23.55 ± 5.43 with 65.7% being females, three-quarters (75%) had good knowledge, while 64.3% had poor risk perception of occupational hazards. The commonest hazards reported were fuel inhalation (81.0%) (always) and fuel splashes (81.4%) (sometimes). About half (46.7%) of the respondents used protective equipment. Most of petrol stations had functional fire extinguishers (99.0%) and sand buckets (98.1%) while 36.2% had muster points. Forty percent and 76.2% of petrol stations had inadequate residential and road setbacks respectively with private petrol stations and those on streets leading. Poor risk perception of hazards and indiscriminate siting of the petrol stations exposed petrol pump attendants to hazards. Adequate regulation and enforcement of petrol station operating guidelines with regular safety and health training is necessary.

La prolifération et l'implantation non réglementée des stations-service se poursuivent, exposant les pompistes à des risques professionnels. Cette étude a évalué les connaissances, la perception des risques, les risques professionnels des pompistes et l'adéquation des sites des stations-service dans la métropole d'Enugu, au Nigeria. Il s'agit d'une étude analytique transversale portant sur 210 pompistes de 105 stations-service réparties dans la ville et sur les routes. Un questionnaire structuré, pré-testé, administré par un enquêteur et une liste de contrôle ont été utilisés pour collecter les données. Les analyses ont été effectuées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives et inférentielles. L'âge moyen des personnes interrogées était de 23,55 ± 5,43 ans, 65,7 % étant des femmes, les trois quarts (75 %) avaient une bonne connaissance des risques professionnels, tandis que 64,3 % avaient une mauvaise perception des risques. Les risques les plus fréquemment signalés étaient l'inhalation de carburant (81,0 %) (toujours) et les éclaboussures de carburant (81,4 %) (parfois). Environ la moitié (46,7 %) des personnes interrogées utilisaient des équipements de protection. La plupart des stations-service disposaient d'extincteurs fonctionnels (99,0%), de seaux à sable (98,1%) et 36,2% de points de rassemblement. Quarante pour cent et 76,2 % des stations-service n'avaient pas de marge de recul suffisante par rapport aux habitations et aux routes, les stations-service privées et celles situées dans les rues étant en tête. La mauvaise perception des risques et l'emplacement des stationsservice exposent les pompistes à des dangers. Une réglementation adéquate et l'application des directives d'exploitation des stationsservice, ainsi que des formations régulières en matière de sécurité et de santé, sont nécessaires. Mots clés: Risques professionnels, Pompistes, Stations-service, Adéquation du site.

Biochemical study on occupational inhalation of benzene vapours in petrol station.

inhalation of benzene vapours promote various and dangerous health problems. Fuel station workers are most susceptible to benzene inhalation toxicity. Samples were collected twice, at beginning of the study and 6 months later from 40 fuel station workers from different egyptian governorates and 10 control healthy volunteers. Fuel station workers were sub divided into four groups according to years working in the station. All of them are exposed to benzene vapours and exhausts during their duties, their work shifts were 8 hrs./day. Results indicated that; benzene vapours exposure induced significant increasing in serum Lead and Cadmium and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity levels. This goes with marked immunologic changes presented by decreases in immunoglobulins; IgA and IgG, along with increases in levels of IgM and IgE. Also, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased. Meanwhile, reduction in some other biochemical parameters including; Copper, Zinc and Iron micronutrients, as well as; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) enzyme levels and Glutathione (GSH) content. Hence, the study inferred that prolonged benzene inhalation can lead to biochemical and immune disorders, probably through potentiating oxidative stress and inflammation pathways.

Monitoramento de indicadores geoquímicos e avaliação de biodegradação em área contaminada com óleo diesel / Monitoring of geochemical indicators and biodegradation evaluation at a site contaminated with diesel oil

A biorremediação natural da água subterrânea contaminada com óleo diesel em um posto de combustíveis foi avaliada mediante o monitoramento de indicadores geoquímicos e ensaios laboratoriais de biodegradação. Durante um período de dois anos foram realizadas quatro coletas de água subterrânea para a avaliação de diversos parâmetros físico-químicos e a concentração de hidrocarbonetos. As análises microbiológicas consistiram na contagem de bactérias heterotróficas totais, na verificação da presença de bactérias hidrocarbonoclásticas e no teste de biodegradabilidade utilizando o indicador redox DCPIP. Foi possível identificar fatores que corroboram o emprego da técnica de biorremediação natural para o tratamento da água subterrânea, contudo, a presença de hidrocarbonetos retidos no solo representa uma fonte contínua de contaminação, por isso se faz necessário o monitoramento a longo prazo.

The natural bioremediation of the groundwater contaminated with diesel oil at a petrol station was evaluated by monitoring geochemical indicators and biodegradation tests in laboratory. During two years the groundwater was collected four times. Different physic-chemical parameters and the concentration of hydrocarbons were evaluated. Microbiological analyses consisted of total heterotrophic bacteria counting, verification of the presence of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and the biodegradability test using the redox indicator DCPIP. It was possible to identify factors that confirm the use of the natural bioremediation technique as a treatment to the groundwater, however, hydrocarbons retained in the soil represent a continuous source of contamination, and for this reason, a long term monitoring is necessary.