Abstract
ObjectiveHuman exposure to benzene is associated with multiple adverse health effects with an increased risk of developing carcinogenesis. Benzene exposure is known to affect many critical organs including the hematological, hepatic, renal, lung, and cardiac functions. The purpose of this study is to examine the health effects of benzene exposure among nonsmoking subjects from a prolonged flaring incident that occurred at the British petroleum (BP) refinery in the Texas City, Texas.MethodsThe study included nonsmoking subjects who had been exposed and unexposed to benzene. Using medical charts, clinical data including white blood cell (WBC) counts, platelet counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) in nonsmoking subjects exposed to benzene were reviewed and analyzed and compared with unexposed adults.ResultsA total of 1422 nonsmoking subjects (benzene exposed, n = 1093 and unexposed, n = 329) were included. Benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of WBC (× 103 per μL) counts (7.7 ± 2.2 versus 6.8 ± 1.7, P = 0.001) and platelet (× 103 per μL) counts (288.8 ± 59.0 versus 245.3 ± 54.4, P = 0.001) compared with the unexposed subjects. The mean serum creatinine (mg/dL) levels were also significantly increased in the benzene exposed group compared with the unexposed group (1.1 ± 0.4 versus 0.8 ± 0.2, P = 0.001). Serum levels of ALP (IU/L) was significantly elevated in the benzene exposed subjects compared with the unexposed subjects (87.3 ± 22.6 versus 69.6 ± 16.5, P = 0.001). Similarly, benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of AST and ALT compared with those unexposed subjects.ConclusionBenzene exposure from the prolonged BP flaring incident caused significant alterations in hematological and liver markers indicating that these nonsmoking residents exposed to refinery chemicals may be at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders.
Highlights
Benzene is a major constituent of petroleum and occurs naturally in crude oil
Residential areas affected by the British petroleum (BP) refinery emission due to the flaring event were initially identified and the subjects exposed to the emission were selected from the affected areas of surrounding communities of Texas City, Texas (Figure 1)
The findings of the present study indicate that benzene exposure can induce significant alterations in hematological and hepatic functions among nonsmoking subjects
Summary
Benzene is a major constituent of petroleum and occurs naturally in crude oil. It is formed as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as petroleum products and coal. Petroleum refining industries are the major sources of benzene and other toxic chemicals. Benzene is a common component of gasoline [5]. As a volatile organic compound, benzene is one of the main contributors to air pollutants in the environment. It is found in the environment as a contaminant from both human activities and natural processes. Benzene is an intrinsic component of tobacco smoke, and tobacco smokers have a higher body burden of benzene than nonsmokers [6]
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