[Exposure to benzene in gas stations in Brazil: occupational health surveillance (VISAT) network]. / Exposição ao benzeno em postos de revenda de combustíveis no Brasil: rede de Vigilância em Saúde do Trabalhador (VISAT).

ABSTRACT

The scope of this article is to present the surveillance network's experience of exposure to benzene in gas stations, describing its components developed in the Unified Health System. It is a report and analysis of the experience of monitoring and its impact on the health of gas station workers in six Brazilian states. It presents the prospect of action, operated by the circulation of information, national meetings, discussions of specific strategies and shared experiences, methodologies and common tools. Inspection procedures, individual assessments and training are described. Risk situations and occupational and environmental exposure were identified in 1,311 gas stations and 564 workers were assessed. Forecourt attendants, superintendents and measuring, offloading and testing employees were all exposed. The integrated and complementary features of this surveillance, implemented in the occupational and environmental areas, suggest intervention in a broader and network-linked territory. The intervention would transcend fragmentation between individual and collective practices, services and education, becoming an example of action for assessment and mitigation of the impact on health workers, the articulation of action in health, the environment and intersectorial connection.