Abstract
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the levels of benzene in petroleum-derived products (PDPs) through literature reviews reported in Korea and to estimate the inhalable benzene to which workers who handle PDPs containing trace amounts of benzene are exposed. All of the available data until 2012 on benzene-containing products in Korea were collected from prior studies, reports, and epidemiological surveys. A total of 32 products from 7 reagents, including ethylbenzene and trichloroethylene, were also analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer to confirm the trace levels of benzene. Finally, a total of 112 data sets with 131 bulk samples for benzene content information were collected. Thinner had the highest benzene content (56.7% in 1997), followed by printing agent (30.1% in 2005), solvent used in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (8.96% in 2005), and gasoline (6.0% in 2002). The amount of benzene contained in the PDPs exhibited a declining trend over the years, but workers handling thinners containing less than 0.1% benzene were found to be exposed to concentrations above 1 ppm. 13 of the 32 reagents were also confirmed to contain benzene, and the products of trichlorethylene and ethylbenzene contained more than 0.1% benzene. In conclusion, if there is a possibility of benzene exposure, even when the benzene content is below 0.1%, specifying the presence of benzene in the material safety data sheet to ensure the protection of workers is warranted.
Highlights
Benzene is a natural ingredient of crude oil and has been used in various chemical products derived from petroleum; it is used as an ingredient of printing ink, organic solvent, raw material and intermediate in diverse pharmaceutical and chemical industries and an additive in unleaded gasoline (ATSDR, 2007; Williams et al, 2008).The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified benzene as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and reported that there is sufficient evidence of benzene’s carcinogenicity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), and a positive association in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma and nonHodgkin lymphoma (IARC, 2012)
This study was conducted to assess the levels of benzene in petroleum-derived products (PDPs) through literature reviews reported in Korea and to estimate the inhalable benzene to which workers who handle PDPs containing trace amounts of benzene are exposed
The amount of benzene contained in the PDPs exhibited a declining trend over the years, but workers handling thinners containing less than 0.1% benzene were found to be exposed to concentrations above 1 ppm. 13 of the 32 reagents were confirmed to contain benzene, and the products of trichlorethylene and ethylbenzene contained more than 0.1% benzene
Summary
Benzene is a natural ingredient of crude oil and has been used in various chemical products derived from petroleum; it is used as an ingredient of printing ink, organic solvent, raw material and intermediate in diverse pharmaceutical and chemical industries (e.g., rubber, lubricating oil, dye, detergent, pesticide manufacturing) and an additive in unleaded gasoline (ATSDR, 2007; Williams et al, 2008).The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified benzene as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and reported that there is sufficient evidence of benzene’s carcinogenicity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), and a positive association in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma and nonHodgkin lymphoma (IARC, 2012). Benzene is a natural ingredient of crude oil and has been used in various chemical products derived from petroleum; it is used as an ingredient of printing ink, organic solvent, raw material and intermediate in diverse pharmaceutical and chemical industries (e.g., rubber, lubricating oil, dye, detergent, pesticide manufacturing) and an additive in unleaded gasoline (ATSDR, 2007; Williams et al, 2008). Even after the acknowledgement of its hazard, benzene is still included in petroleum-derived products (PDPs) not because it is used for a specific purpose but it persists as an impurity (Kopstein, 2006). Benzene is not fully eliminated but still continues to be included in petrochemical products used for industrial purposes. It is warranted that the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of petrochemical products must provide clear information on inclusion of benzene in such products. It has been argued that in practice, unlike regulations, benzene is often not included in MSDSs if the
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