Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity of Long-Term Occupational Exposure to Low Levels of BTEX in Gas Station Workers.

Feng Xiong,Jiongli Huang,Xiaowu Peng,Jing Su,Li Qing,Guiqiang Liang,Qin Li,Linhan Liang,Bo Zhou,Li’E Zhang,Yunfeng Zou,Shuyan Ma

doi:10.3390/ijerph13121212

Abstract

Atmospheric benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) can lead to multiple health injuries. However, what remains uncertain is the effect of long-term exposure to low levels of BTEX. Thus, we determined the BTEX levels in the air from the refueling and office areas in gas stations. Then we collected workers’ (200 refueling vs. 52 office workers) peripheral blood samples to analyze the serum total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. DNA damage was analyzed by the comet assay and micronucleus test in buccal epithelial cells. We found that the levels of BTEX in refueling areas were significantly higher than those in office areas (p < 0.001). The serum T-SOD and GSH of refueling workers were significantly lower than those in office workers (p < 0.001). By contrast, the serum MDA and 8-OHdG of refueling workers were significantly higher than those of office workers (p < 0.001, MDA; p = 0.025, 8-OHdG). Furthermore, tail and Olive tail moments in refueling workers were longer (p = 0.004, tail moment; p = 0.001, Olive tail moment), and the micronucleus rate was higher (p < 0.001) than those in office workers. Taken together, long-term exposure to low levels of BTEX may reduce the antioxidant ability and increase the risk of DNA damage in refueling workers of gas stations.

Highlights

MethodsThe study population consisted of 252 gas station workers working and living in Nanning City
With the rapid development of the global economy and industrialization, many developing countries, including China, have experienced decades of rapid growth in the consumption of petroleum products for a certain number of automobiles
A total of 200 refueling and 52 office workers were investigated in 13 gas stations in Nanning

Summary

Methods

The study population consisted of 252 gas station workers working and living in Nanning City. Among these workers, 200 are refueling workers who are mainly refueling motor vehicles and are continually in contact with gasoline, and the remaining 52 are office workers who work and spend their time indoors. The basic and occupational data on these workers were acquired through personal interviews. Gender, occupation, exposure time, smoking, and drinking behavior were included in our questionnaire.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion