Technological University of the Philippines

Taguig Campus
Km. 14 East Service Road, Western Bicutan Taguig CIty

Human Health Risk Assessment to the Gas

Service Station Attendants

Submitted by:
Songcayauon, Ean A.
Valendez, Kathleen Grace L.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this descriptive study is to make a human health risk assessment. To
determine possible acute and adverse effects to human health once exposed to hazardous
chemicals.
SCOPE
This study focuses to those who are possible at risk with these hazardous chemical. What
is environmental hazard of concern and where is it came from. Also this paper shows how an
individual will be exposed to these hazardous chemical and what does the body do to the
chemicals once exposed. Acute and chronic diseases are also mentioned and does the stressor
have an effect to factors such as age, race, sex, genetics and others.
INTRODUCTION
Stressor: TOLUENE
Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, occurring naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree. It
is produced during the process of making gasoline and other fuels from crude oil, in making coke
from coal, and as a by-product in the manufacture of styrene. Toluene has numerous commercial
and industrial applications and is a solvent in paints, lacquers, thinners, glues, correction fluid
and nail polish remover, and is used in the printing and leather tanning processes.
Petroleum products contain volatile organic compounds and one of it is Toluene. Service
station attendants are exposed to toluene due to emission of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon
(VAHs). Toluene can affect the reproductive and the central nervous system. Gasoline station
workers are directly exposed to toluene through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contacts.
However, the main route of exposure is the respiratory system. Toluene is not considered as
carcinogenic based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Who is at risk?
The people who works at gas station area, ranging from age 18 and above, both sexes, day
in and day out, are awash in these hazardous chemical and bear the brunt of its harmful effects in
the body. Workers in the gas station are exposed to toluene all day through particles in the air. The
risk was reported to be highest for service station attendants than the drivers.
Due to polymorphisms, some people may be more sensitive to the effects once inhaled
than the others. Occupational asthma has occurred in some workers exposed to toluene levels
considered safe in the workplace. Workers with a history of asthma induced by solvent exposure
are at risk. The duration of the exposure, not just the level, may also contribute to asthma
exacerberations. Pregnant who works in a gas station area is also at risk because the fetus may
also be in contact with toluene once the mother inhales the hazardous chemical.

What is the environmental hazard of concern?

Chemicals (single or multiple/cumulative risk)
Toluene is a liquid chemical compound utilized in manufacturing of many commercial
products like glue paints and gasoline. Colorless and insoluble in water, and it is dangerous when
its fumes are inhaled causing neurological damage and intoxication. Toluene also known as
methylbenzene is an organic compound with the presence of carbon (C) in its chemical formula
(C7H8) and categorized as hydrocarbon. It is also considered an aromatic compound because a
benzene ring is present in its chemical structure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that the
acceptable exposure to toluene for people in the workplace. The Permissible Exposure Limit
(PEL) of 200 ppm is considered an acceptable level of exposure as a time-weighted average for
an 8 hour workday. When it exceeds 300 ppm may be acceptable. Toluene concentration of 500
ppm can be permitted for 10 minutes exposure in 8 hour-work shift because it is considered
immediately dangerous to life and health.
Where do these environmental hazards come from?
Point Source
Toluene is a natural component of coal and petroleum. It may be therefore introduced into
the environment through petroleum seepage and weathering of exposed coal-containing strata and
into ground water from proliferous rocks. Petrol vapor emission constitutes one of the main
sources of air pollutants in service stations. Toluene as one of the major composition of gasoline
can be released into the air and mixed with the air we breathe, water, and soil at places where it is
produced or used. Toluene is commonly found in air, indoor and outdoor air samples can contain
higher levels of toluene in places where products like petroleum are always used. Light duty
automobiles also contribute to the toluene emissions.

How does exposure occur?

Exposure: Air
Toxicity can occur from unintentional or deliberate inhalation of fumes of the petroleum.
A worker in a gasoline station can be exposed to toluene by breathing automobile exhaust and in
pumping gasoline. Toluene can be present in the air through emission of vapors through
dispensing, loading, unloading and transport of petrol. Once released into the air - because
toluene evaporates easily workers are already exposed to it.
Routes: Inhalation

Toluene can enter your body from the air, water, or soil. An individual are exposed to
toluene by breathing outdoor or indoor air containing this substance. Inhalation and dermal
exposure is possible when using toluene containing products. The route of exposure is less likely
than breathing in toluene from air. Toluene evaporates quickly. Therefore, it is unlikely an
individual will be exposed to it. Once inhaled, it is taken directly into the blood from the lungs.
Toluene is lipophilic, so there is a tendency that it will cross the blood-brain barrier and it will
affect the central nervous system.
What does the body do with the environmental hazard and how is this impacted by factors
such as age, race, sex, genetics, etc.?)
Absorption
Studies have shown that working in gas station is linked to reproductive health problems,
including spontaneous birth, preterm delivery and undersized babies as well as pregnancy
complications. Studies indicate that breathing high levels of the substance during pregnancy can
cause birth defects, slow growth and retard mental abilities of the offspring.
What are the health effects?
Gas station attendants who works at gas station everyday are exposed to toluene, once
exposed they experienced different health problems.
Acute health effects of inhaling toluene to the workers include headaches, breathing
problems and skin irritations, commonly associated with overexposure in these products. In
addition, repeated exposure to petroleum containing toluene during pregnancy can adversely
affect the developing fetus. They also have thinking and memory problems, neurological
symptoms, nausea, respiratory problems. Acute intoxication from inhalation is characterized by
rapid onset of Central Nervous System symptoms including euphoria, hallucinations, delusions,
tinnitus, dizziness, confusion, headache, vertigo, seizures, ataxia, and stupor.
Chronic health effects of inhaling toluene to the workers include Chronic Central Nervous
System sequelae include neuropsychosis, cerebral and cerebellar degeneration with ataxia,
seizures, choreoathetosis, optic and peripheral neuropathies, decreased cognitive ability, anosmia,
optic atrophy, blindness, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
How long does it take for an environmental hazard to cause a toxic effect? Does it matter
when in a lifetime exposure occurs?
Acute and Chronic
Inhaling high levels of toluene can cause death or unconsciousness. Repeatedly breathing
toluene over long period of time with high concentration at work can cause death, permanent
brain damage, or depression. Pregnant repeated exposure to toluene may increase the risk of

damage to the fetus. Exposure to high levels of toluene may affect the kidneys, nervous system,
liver, brain, and heart. Direct, prolonged contact with liquid toluene or vapor can irritate the
eyes and cause dry skin and skin rashes.
Exposure to low to moderate levels of toluene can cause confusion, light-headedness,
dizziness, headache, fatigue, weakness, memory loss, nausea, appetite loss, coughing, wheezing,
and hearing and color vision loss.
Acute contact, via inhalation and skin, with small amounts of light crude oil and
dispersants cause transitory respiratory, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin reactions. However, longterm exposure, which can be a matter of days or weeks, can cause central nervous system
problems, or do damage to blood and organs such as kidneys or livers, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Crude oil is not readily biodegradable and the effects of exposure to this toxin will be felt
from generation to generation. Children and pregnant mothers are at significant risk. Exposure to
this toxin will be felt not only acutely, but from generation to generation. Children and pregnant
mothers are at significant risk. All exposures, no matter how seemingly insignificant, may prove
to be consequential. What may seem to be a relatively trivial exposure in a healthy individual
may potentially prove catastrophic, and the consequences of both acute and chronic exposures to
crude oil may take years, even decades, to fully reveal the array of disease and morbidity than
will result from exposure to this substance. Not only will a good working knowledge of both the
acute and chronic effects of exposure be required by healthcare workers, but timely diagnosis and
treatment of crude oil-related illnesses will be needed to limit or avoid serious adverse outcomes
and potential medical-legal issues.
Timing
Once a pregnant overexposed or daily exposed to toluene the fetus is highly at risk
because the fetus absorbed the hazardous chemical. When the fetus absorbed it may caused
preterm delivery, abnormality of the neonates.