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Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment
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Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 14004

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Diana Poli

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Guest Editor
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL), 00144 Roma, Italy
Interests: pulmonary disease; toxicology; forensic sciences; mass spectrometry; analytical techniques; cancer research; chemical and cell biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Daniela Pigini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL), 00144 Roma, Italy
Interests: occupational and environmental hygiene; biological monitoring; clinical biochemistry; toxicology; oxidative damage to nucleic acids; analytical techniques; mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Benzene is a worldwide pollutant widespread in both occupational and environmental settings and a substance of great concern for its carcinogenic and mutagenic properties.

Beside its early uncontrolled use as a solvent, Benzene exposure in developed countries mainly stems from traffic and the chemical/petroleum industry. In addition, cigarette smoke represents a relevant source able to influence the level of exposure.

Although air quality has improved in recent decades (particularly in large urban areas), in many cases benzene concentrations exceed air quality standards. Therefore, an accurate health risk assessment due to benzene exposure, even at low levels, is an essential requirement both in living environments and in workplaces.

To reduce risks and consequently to preserve public health, there is also a need to focus research priorities in order to investigate the environment from a more realistic point of view and find a linkage between the biomonitoring data and the key toxicological endpoints, taking into account the continuous progress in analytical techniques and sensoristic applications.

Biological monitoring allows an assessment of the exposure even if the identification of suitable, specific, and sensitive biomarkers (exposure, effect and/or susceptibility) is needed. Additionally, the derivation of toxicologically based biomarker in in vivo and in vitro studies can be used to evaluate biomonitoring data in a risk assessment context.

This Special Issue focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding the links between benzene exposure and human health. Papers dealing with new approaches of risk assessment and management, as well as those focused on air quality standards, are welcome. We will welcome manuscripts from different disciplines including exposure assessment science, analytical chemistry, epidemiology, risk and health impact assessment, risk management and in vivo/in vitro studies.

Dr. Diana Poli
Dr. Daniela Pigini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental and occupational exposure
  • public health
  • risk assessment
  • biomarkers
  • analytical chemistry
  • sensoristic application
  • in vivo and in vitro studies/models

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 868 KiB  
Article
Leukemia Mortality among Benzene-Exposed Workers in Brazil (2006–2011)
by Maria Juliana Moura-Corrêa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(13), 6314; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20136314 - 07 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Background: In this study, the annual leukemia mortality rate is estimated by occupational groups potentially exposed to benzene in Brazil and compared to non-exposed workers by sex. Methods: Data were extracted from the Mortality Information System and the National Institute of Geography and [...] Read more.
Background: In this study, the annual leukemia mortality rate is estimated by occupational groups potentially exposed to benzene in Brazil and compared to non-exposed workers by sex. Methods: Data were extracted from the Mortality Information System and the National Institute of Geography and Statistics from 2006 to 2011. Occupational groups exposed to benzene were defined by using the Finnish Job-Exposure Matrix, FINJEM. Results: We found 21,049 leukemia deaths in 1917 in occupational groups potentially exposed to benzene, corresponding to an annual average mortality rate of 4.5/100,000, higher than the estimate for non-exposed workers: 2.6/100,000, corresponding to a Mortality rate ratio MRR = 1.7. Each benzene-exposed occupational group had increased leukemia mortality, and printers and occupations in graphics presented the highest MRR (2.7), followed by laboratory assistants (MRR = 2.6), laundry workers, chemists, and upholsterers, each of these occupational groups presenting MRR = 2.3. Conclusions: Benzene shows the need for better enforcement of protective norms against this known carcinogen. Our results support the need for better enforcement of protective norms to reduce benzene exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment)
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13 pages, 944 KiB  
Article
Hematological Changes in Gas Station Workers
by Isabela Giardini, Katia Soares da Poça, Paula Vieira Baptista da Silva, Valnice Jane Caetano Andrade Silva, Deborah Santos Cintra, Karen Friedrich, Barbara Rodrigues Geraldino, Ubirani Barros Otero and Marcia Sarpa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5896; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20105896 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
(1) Background: Benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers (BTX) are present in gasoline. Exposure to benzene may lead to the appearance of a series of signs, symptoms, and complications, which are characterized by benzene poisoning, which is an occupational disease. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers (BTX) are present in gasoline. Exposure to benzene may lead to the appearance of a series of signs, symptoms, and complications, which are characterized by benzene poisoning, which is an occupational disease. This study evaluated the presence of signs and symptoms related to occupational exposure and whether occupational exposure to BTX is associated with the development of hematological changes. (2) Material and Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study included 542 participants, in which 324 were gas station workers (GSWs) and 218 were office workers (OWs) with no occupational exposure to benzene. To characterize the type of exposure (exposed and not exposed), trans,trans-Muconic acid (tt-MA), Hippuric acid (HA), and Methylhippuric acid (MHA) were used as exposure biomarkers. The tt-MA analysis revealed that the GSWs had 0.29 mg/g of urinary creatinine and the OWs had 0.13 mg/g of urinary creatinine. For HA, the GSWs presented 0.49 g/g of creatinine while the OWs presented 0.07. MHA analysis revealed that the GSWs had 1.57 g/g creatinine and the OWs had 0.01 g/g creatinine. Occupation habits and clinical symptoms were collected by questionnaire and blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters. The persistence of hematological changes was evaluated with three serial blood collections every 15 days followed by laboratory hematological analysis. A descriptive analysis by the Chi-square test method was performed to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to fuels and the occurrence of changes in hematological parameters. (3) Results: In the GSWs, the most described signs and symptoms were somnolence (45.1%), headache (38.3%), dizziness (27.5%), tingling (25.4%), and involuntary movement (25%). Twenty GSWs that presented hematological alterations performed serial collections fifteen days apart. In addition, these workers presented total leukocyte counts above the upper limit and lymphocyte counts close to the lower limit. Leukocytosis and lymphopenia are hematological alterations present in chronic benzene poisoning. (4) Conclusions: The results found an initial change in different hematological parameters routinely used in clinics to evaluate health conditions. These findings reveal the importance of valuing clinical changes, even in the absence of disease, during the health monitoring of gas station workers and other groups that share the same space. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment)
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12 pages, 639 KiB  
Article
Factors Affecting Adverse Health Effects of Gasoline Station Workers
by Umakorn Tongsantia, Sunisa Chaiklieng, Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri, Sari Andajani and Herman Autrup
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10014; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph181910014 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3142
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the risk factors affecting adverse health effects from benzene exposure among gasoline station workers in Khon Kean province, Thailand. An interview questionnaire of adverse symptoms relating to benzene toxicity was administered to 151 workers. Area samplings for benzene concentration [...] Read more.
This cross-sectional study examined the risk factors affecting adverse health effects from benzene exposure among gasoline station workers in Khon Kean province, Thailand. An interview questionnaire of adverse symptoms relating to benzene toxicity was administered to 151 workers. Area samplings for benzene concentration and spot urine for tt-muconic acid (tt-MA), a biomarker of benzene exposure, were collected. The factors associated with adverse symptoms were analysed by using multiple logistic regression. It was found that these symptoms mostly affected fuelling workers (77.5%), and the detected air benzene reached an action level or higher than 50% of NIOSH REL (>50 ppb). The top five adverse symptoms, i.e., fatigue, headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, and runny nose, were reported among workers exposed to benzene. More specific symptoms of benzene toxicity were chest pain, bleeding/epistaxis, and anaemia. The detected tt-MA of workers was 506.7 ug/g Cr (IQR), which was a value above the BEI and higher than that of asymptomatic workers. Risk factors significantly associated with adverse symptoms, included having no safety training experience (ORadj = 5.22; 95% CI: 2.16–12.58) and eating during work hours (ORadj = 16.08; 95% CI: 1.96–131.74). This study urges the tightening of health and safety standards at gasoline stations to include training and eating restrictions while working in hazardous areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment)
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15 pages, 409 KiB  
Article
Biomarkers of Low-Level Environmental Exposure to Benzene and Oxidative DNA Damage in Primary School Children in Sardinia, Italy
by Ilaria Pilia, Marcello Campagna, Gabriele Marcias, Daniele Fabbri, Federico Meloni, Giovanna Spatari, Danilo Cottica, Claudio Cocheo, Elena Grignani, Fabio De-Giorgio, Pierluigi Cocco and Ernesto d’Aloja
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4644; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18094644 - 27 Apr 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2533
Abstract
Background: The main anthropic sources of exposure to airborne benzene include vehicular traffic, cigarette smoke, and industrial emissions. Methods: To detect early genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored environmental, personal, and indoor airborne benzene in children living in an urban [...] Read more.
Background: The main anthropic sources of exposure to airborne benzene include vehicular traffic, cigarette smoke, and industrial emissions. Methods: To detect early genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored environmental, personal, and indoor airborne benzene in children living in an urban area and an area near a petrochemical plant. We also used urinary benzene and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) as biomarkers of benzene exposure and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of early genotoxic effects. Results: Although always below the European Union limit of 5 μg/m3, airborne benzene levels were more elevated in the indoor, outdoor, and personal samples from the industrial surroundings compared to the urban area (p = 0.026, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). Children living in the surroundings of the petrochemical plant had urinary benzene values significantly higher than those from the urban area in both the morning and evening samples (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Results of multiple regression modelling showed that age was a significant predictor of 8-OHdG excretion, independent of the sampling hour. Moreover, at the low exposure level experienced by the children participating in this study, neither personal or indoor airborne benzene level, nor personal monitoring data, affected 8-OHdG excretion. Conclusions: Our results suggest the importance of biological monitoring of low-level environmental exposure and its relation to risk of genotoxic effects among children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment)

Review

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17 pages, 830 KiB  
Review
Sex Difference and Benzene Exposure: Does It Matter?
by Diana Poli, Paola Mozzoni, Silvana Pinelli, Delia Cavallo, Bruno Papaleo and Lidia Caporossi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2339; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19042339 - 18 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2633
Abstract
Sex-related biological differences might lead to different effects in women and men when they are exposed to risk factors. A scoping review was carried out to understand if sex could be a discriminant in health outcomes due to benzene. Studies on both animals [...] Read more.
Sex-related biological differences might lead to different effects in women and men when they are exposed to risk factors. A scoping review was carried out to understand if sex could be a discriminant in health outcomes due to benzene. Studies on both animals and humans were collected. In vivo surveys, focusing on genotoxicity, hematotoxicity and effects on metabolism suggested a higher involvement of male animals (mice or rats) in adverse health effects. Conversely, the studies on humans, focused on the alteration of blood parameters, myeloid leukemia incidence and biomarker rates, highlighted that, overall, women had significantly higher risk for blood system effects and a metabolization of benzene 23–26% higher than men, considering a similar exposure situation. This opposite trend highlights that the extrapolation of in vivo findings to human risk assessment should be taken with caution. However, it is clear that sex is a physiological parameter to consider in benzene exposure and its health effects. The topic of sex difference linked to benzene in human exposure needs further research, with more numerous samples, to obtain a higher strength of data and more indicative findings. Sex factor, and gender, could have significant impacts on occupational exposures and their health effects, even if there are still uncertainties and gaps that need to be filled. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benzene: Exposure and Risk Assessment)
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