BTEX Exposures among Automobile Mechanics and Painters and Their Associated Health Risks

ABSTRACT

We measured the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in the ambient air of automobile repair garages in Montreal, Canada, using the direct atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-MS/MS) method. Among all the air samples analyzed, toluene was the most abundant BTEX-species (127–1101 μg/m³) followed by xylenes (50–323 μg/m³), ethylbenzene (11–65 μg/m³), and benzene (9.2–23 μg/m³). BTEX levels where ventilation was controlled simultaneously by both mechanical and natural systems were significantly less than levels at garages where only natural ventilation was used. Results suggest that multiple sources contribute to the occupational exposure of automobile mechanics and painters to the BTEX. Owing to the toxic effects of these chemicals, both chronic non-cancer hazard and integrated lifetime cancer risk due to the exposure of this occupational group were assessed. The levels of the BTEX measured at all the garages were less than the established limits for occupational exposure; still, benzene levels pose a potential cancer risk for the workers. At the prevailing levels of BTEX, they may not cause any chronic non-cancer problems for the workers.

Key Words:

• volatile organic compound
• BTEX
• ambient air
• occupational exposure
• health risk assessment
• direct sampling-mass spectrometry

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is acknowledged for financial support.

Notes

^a n = 3 independent samples, 5 replicate analysis for each sample.

^aTypical lifetime TL = 7 days/week × 52 weeks/year × 70 years = 25480 days.