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Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry in Map Ta Phut, Thailand

Article in Journal of Occupational Health · August 2011

DOI: 10.1539/joh.11-0091-OA · Source: PubMed

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 J Occup Health 2011; 53: 384–392
Field Study
Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry in Map Ta Phut,
Thailand
Uma Langkulsen, Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan and Sasitorn Taptagaporn
Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Thailand
Abstract: Safety and Health in the Petrochemical
Industry in Map Ta Phut, Thailand: Uma Langkulsen,
et al. Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University,
Rangsit Campus, Thailand—Background:
Petrochemical industries are known as sources of many
toxic chemicals. Safety and health risks of the
petrochemical workers employed at Map Ta Phut
Industrial Estate, located in Rayong, Thailand, are
potentially high. Methods: The research materials
consisted of documents emanating from statutory
reports on safety in working with toxic chemicals and
the results of interviews by questionnaire among 457
petrochemical workers regarding occupational health
and safety issues. Results: Most of workers who were
working with toxic chemicals had knowledge and
awareness of health risks and chemical hazards at work.
We found that safe behavior at work through read the
safety information among operational workers less than
non-operational workers around 10%. Most of workers
had perceived occupational health and safety
management in their companies. Some companies
revealed that they had not been performing biological
monitoring of blood or urine for their health examination
reports and that workplace exposure monitoring had
not correlated well with health examination of workers.
Conclusions: Our study suggested that occupational
health and safety for petrochemical industries requires
standards and guidelines for workers’ health surveillance
aimed at protection of workers.
(J Occup Health 2011; 53: 384–392)
Key words: Exposure, Health examination,
Occupational health and Safety, Petrochemical, Toxic
chemical
Petrochemical industries release significant amounts of
toxic chemicals into the environment. Air pollutants
Received Apr 25, 2011; Accepted Jun 24, 2011
Published online in J-STAGE Aug 5, 2011
Correspondence to: U. Langkulsen, Faculty of Public Health,
Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani
12121, Thailand (e-mail: uma_langkulsen@yahoo.com)
Journal of
Occupational Health
include sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide,
volatile organic compounds, fugitive hydrocarbons and
dust. For decades, air toxins have been associated with
both short-term and long-term adverse health effects.
K n o w n o rg a n s y s t e m s i m p a c t e d i n c l u d e t h e
cardiovascular 1–3), respiratory 4–8), reproductive 9) and
nervous systems10–13). Long-term health effects can include
increased risk of mortality14–17), lung cancer14), chronic
respiratory disease18) and heart disease19, 20) as well as
damage to the liver21, 22) and potentially the kidneys23–24).
Persons are exposed to toxic chemicals in the air of their
communities, homes and workplaces. Exposures tend to
be greatest in workplaces where toxic chemicals are used
and leaks or contaminated work spaces can occur. It is
well known that toxic chemicals in the petrochemical
industry have resulted in health impacts, occupational
diseases and unhealthy working environments25–29).
Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MTPIE), located in
Rayong Province about 200 kilometers from Bangkok,
was designated by the government to serve as the
petrochemical and heavy industries hub for Thailand.
Since the start of its operation, findings have demonstrated
that episodic events of toxic chemical contamination of
the surrounding communities have presented a substantial
health risk to the public30–33). Occupational risks from
exposures in the petrochemical sector in Thailand are
receiving increasing attention. However, few data about
occupational health and safety (OHS) of workers at the
MTPIE are available, but there are indications that the
OHS risks of the about 13,800 workers employed at the
MTPIE are potentially high. Understanding of health and
safety risks in the occupational setting is limited,
particularly, at the MTPIE. Therefore, characterizing the
health and safety hazards and their determinants as well
as OHS management at the MTPIE may lead to reduction
of OHS risks among the workers. The objective of this
study was to understand how workers in petrochemical
plants perceive toxic chemical risks to which they are
exposed, including their knowledge and awareness,
behavior and OHS management. As required by law,
statutory reports on workplace safety related to toxic
 Uma Langkulsen, et al.: Occupational health and safety in Map Ta Phut
chemicals were investigated in this study. In particular,
this study identified and addressed the main health and
safety issues faced by petrochemical workers at the MTPIE
as well as their risk perceptions.
Methods
Study site and population
Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MTPIE) is an industrial
zone that was established in 1989. This industrial estate
is a major source of toxic chemicals released into the
ambient air and consists of 66 companies; there are 32
petrochemical companies, 2 oil refineries, 8 steel
companies, 7 chemical and fertilizer companies and 17
public utility companies including the power, steam and
gas sectors. This study focused on the petrochemical
companies at the MTPIE using purposive sampling. Only
11 of 32 petrochemical companies were willing to
participate in the study. Ten out of the 11 petrochemical
companies had provided statutory reports on workplace
safety related to toxic chemicals, yielding a total of 457
respondents, both operational and nonoperational workers,
who consented to participate in the study. Operational
workers included those who were employed as plant
operators, whereas, the nonoperational workers involved
in the study included industrial safety officers and
maintenance technicians who may be exposed to toxic
chemicals under normal operating conditions.
Data collection
1) Questionnaires
The primary data were collected using questionnaires
including questions about gender, age, education, smoking
habits, alcohol consumption, years of employment,
working hours, job type and work environment such as
heat, lighting, noise, vibration, radiation, chemical dusts,
metal fumes, toxic fumes from burning plastic, rubber or
wood, chemical vapors, chemical aerosols, ventilation
systems and chemical odors. The second part of the
questionnaires contained qualitative questions concerning
knowledge and awareness of toxic chemicals, workplace
behavior and perception on OHS management in their
plants. In particular, knowledge and awareness questions
were asked of the workers who work with toxic chemicals,
and each of these questions was answered with either a
“yes” or “no” answer. The interviewers were trained on
the definition of toxic chemical risks and adverse health
effects before the interviews. For workplace behavior
questions, workers were asked to indicate the frequency
of the particular behavior as “always”, “often”, “sometimes”
or “never”. Questions about OHS management to be
answered with “yes, no and “don’t know were filled out
based on perception. Reliability and validity of
questionnaires were tested in this study.
2) Statutory reports
Documents were collected to characterize workplace
385
safety related to toxic chemicals in petrochemical plants
located at the MTPIE covering the period from 1999 to
2008. Statutory reports are required by the Notification
issued by the Interior Ministry on workplace safety related
to toxic chemicals 1991 (B.E. 2534) 34) , now the
responsibility of the Labor Ministry. These reports were
prepared by a safety officer of each plant and submitted
to the local Labor Protection and Welfare Office and
mainly consisted of four reports. The first report, which
provides details about toxic chemicals in the workplace,
includes product data, chemical classification, hazardous
ingredients, physical and chemical data, fire and explosion
hazard data, health hazard data, safety measures and
special instructions, is submitted within 7 days of the date
of possession of a chemical on the toxic chemicals list,
which contains 1,580 chemicals (Sor Or. 1). The second
report on safety and hazard assessment of toxic chemicals
in the workplace is submitted within 15 days of the date
of assessment at least once a year according to the type
and quantity of toxic chemicals on a list containing 180
chemicals (Sor Or. 2). The third report concerns the
concentration of toxic chemicals in the workplace ambient
air and storage area and is submitted within 30 days of the
date of monitoring the chemical concentration every six
months (Sor Or. 3). The fourth report concerns the health
examination results of workers who work with toxic
chemicals and is submitted within 30 days of the date of
receipt of the examination results every year (Sor Or. 4).
These reports were gathered from ten petrochemical plants
and the local Labor Protection and Welfare Office.
Data analysis
The questionnaires were coded, and the data were
entered into the database twice. The data were analyzed
using SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Descriptive statistics like frequencies were used to analyze
the effects of the demographic characteristics of workers,
knowledge and awareness, workplace behavior and
perception on OHS management in their plants. Data from
statutory reports were analyzed in terms of the relationship
between toxic chemicals used, concentration of toxic
chemicals in the workplace ambient air and storage areas
and health examination results of workers. This study was
approved by the Ethics Review Committee for Research
on Human Subjects, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat
University.
Results
Demographic characteristics and work environment
There were 457 study subjects, and most of them were
male workers (92.6%). More than half (54%) of the
respondents had more than 10 years’ total experience with
their present company, 247 (54.1%) were between 30 and
40 yr of age, 157 (34.4%) were under 30 yr of age and 333
(72.9%) worked in operational units. A high proportion
 386 J Occup Health, Vol. 53, 2011

of workers (99.1%) spent 7 h or more at their workplace. Table 1. Demographic characteristics of workers and work
Most workers, 418 (91.5%), said that they have a good environment, 2008 (n=457)
ventilation system for their plant; however, a majority Variable Workers participated
(87.3%) complained about chemical odors during work. in the study
More than one-third of workers complained of work
Male [n (%)] 423 (92.6)
environmental conditions in their workplace such as noise
Mean age ± SDa (yr) 32.9 ± 6.8
(60.6%), chemical vapors (47.9%) and heat problems
Education [n (%)]
(36.8%). Half of the workers (50.3%) were found to be
High school diploma or less 277 (60.6)
working with toxic chemicals (Table 1).
Bachelor degree 154 (33.7)
Master degree 26 (5.7)
Knowledge and awareness
Smoking habits [n (%)]
Most workers claimed that they know the toxic
Never smoked 272 (59.5)
chemicals they work with, they have been trained in risk
Ex-smoker 61 (13.3)
management, they know the toxic chemical hazards, they
Current smoker 124 (27.1)
know the material safety data sheet (MSDS), they know
Alcohol consumption [n (%)] 335 (73.3)
the safety information sources, they know the routes of
Years of employment [n (%)]
exposure, they know the health effects of toxic chemicals
<6 142 (31.1)
and they know the reasons for periodic health examination
6–10 68 (14.9)
(PHE). All workers said they know about prevention of
>10 247 (54)
chemical risks and are interested in safety rules (Table
Working hours [n (%)]
2).
<7 4 (0.9)
≥7 453 (99.1)
Workplace behavior
Job typeb [n (%)]
More than 98 percent of workers reported that they did
Operational worker 333 (72.9)
not go to work when sick, they have safety-related duties
Nonoperational worker 124 (27.1)
while at work, they use proper tools in their daily jobs and
Work environment [n (%)]
they do not practice by trial and error. More than 80% of
Heat problem 168 (36.8)
workers always follow safety rules and procedures, read
Lighting hazards 80 (17.5)
equipment manuals, store equipment after use, ask when
Excessive noise 277 (60.6)
in doubt about any procedure, are careful while at work
Excessive vibration 74 (16.2)
and use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as ear
Radiation problem 94 (20.6)
plugs or ear muffs, safety glasses, safety gloves, safety
Chemical dusts 134 (29.3)
shoes, a safety helmet and a respirator. Operational
Metal fumes 99 (21.7)
workers reported that they always read the safety
Toxic fumes 31 (6.8)
information and participate in safety campaigns, and fewer
Chemical vapors 219 (47.9)
nonoperational workers reported this (Table 2).
Chemical aerosols 77 (16.8)
Absence of good ventilation system 39 (8.5)
Perceptions about OHS management
Chemical odors 399 (87.3)
More than 92% percent of workers said that they have
Working with toxic chemicals [n (%)] 230 (50.3)
a good OHS management at their plants, such as a written
OHS policy statement, area management, a safety officer, a
Standard deviation. b Operational workers include those who
evaluation of the work environment by a safety officer, were employed as plant operators; nonoperational workers
training concerning safe use of toxic chemicals, provision include industrial safety officers and maintenance technicians.
of PPE, provision of PHE, provision of health care and
suitable first aid facilities and provision of emergency
showers and eyewash stations. All workers reported that
employers practiced for emergencies, prepared emergency workplace (Sor Or. 1) was found to be complete for 9 out
exercises and provided annual health examinations (Table of 10 petrochemical companies (90%). The report
2). concerning safety and hazard assessment of toxic
chemicals in the workplace (Sor Or. 2) was found to be
Statutory reports complete for only 4 companies (40%), whereas 2
The reporting system mandated by the Interior Ministry companies considered chemicals used in their production
was reviewed in this study. Completeness of the statutory processes to not be subject to reporting, and 4 companies
reports included in the study ranged from 40 to 100%. refused to contribute their information concerning toxic
The report concerning the details of toxic chemicals in the chemicals used (Table 3). The report concerning the
 Uma Langkulsen, et al.: Occupational health and safety in Map Ta Phut 387

Table 2. Knowledge and awareness, workplace behavior and perceptions about OHS management of
workers by job type, 2008 (n=457)
Interview itemsa Operational Nonoperational
[Yes, n (%)] workers workers
(n=333) (n=124)
Knowledge and awarenessb
Know the names of toxic chemicals 188 (99.5) 41 (100)
Trained in risk management 183 (96.8) 38 (92.7)
Know the toxic chemical hazards 188 (99.5) 41 (100)
Know the MSDS 185 (97.9) 38 (92.7)
Know the MSDS sources 182 (96.3) 38 (92.7)
Know the routes of exposure 188 (99.5) 41 (100)
Know the health effects of toxic chemicals 181 (95.8) 39 (95.1)
Know about prevention of chemical risks 189 (100) 41 (100)
Know the reason for PHE 179 (94.7) 35 (85.4)
Interest in safety rules 189 (100) 41 (100)
Workplace behavior
Follow safety rules 280 (84.1) 103 (83.1)
Read equipment manuals 275 (82.6) 100 (80.6)
Unsafe acts 2 (0.6) 0
Read safety information 225 (67.6) 95 (76.6)
Working while sick 4 (1.2) 0
Participate in safety campaigns 200 (60.1) 83 (66.9)
Follow safety procedures 304 (91.3) 112 (90.3)
Store equipment after use 308 (92.5) 112 (90.3)
Improper tool use 3 (0.9) 1 (0.8)
Trial and error practice 3 (0.9) 3 (2.4)
Ask when in doubt on any procedure 311 (93.4) 109 (87.9)
Be careful at work 316 (94.9) 117 (94.4)
Use PPE 271 (81.4) 101 (81.5)
Perceptions about OHS management
Written OHS policy statement 333 (100) 123 (99.2)
Provide emergency practice 333 (100) 124 (100)
Prepare emergency exercises 333 (100) 124 (100)
Area management 330 (99.1) 124 (100)
Evaluation of work environment by safety officer 323 (97) 124 (100)
Trained in the safe use of toxic chemicals 321 (96.4) 117 (94.4)
Provide PPE 331 (99.4) 124 (100)
Provide annual health examination 333 (100) 124 (100)
Provide PHE 318 (95.5) 120 (96.8)
Employ safety officer 329 (98.8) 124 (100)
Provide health care 311 (93.4) 118 (95.2)
Provide suitable first aid facilities 331 (99.4) 123 (99.2)
Provide emergency showers and eyewash stations 311 (93.4) 115 (92.7)
a
MSDS, material safety data sheet; PHE, periodic health examination; PPE, personal protective
equipment; OHS, occupational health and safety. b Interview data from 189 operational workers and
41 nonoperational workers who work with toxic chemicals.

concentrations of toxic chemicals in the workplace
ambient air and storage areas (Sor Or. 3) was found to be
complete for 10 companies (100%), whereas the report
concerning the health examination results of workers who
work with toxic chemicals (Sor Or. 4) was found to be
complete for 7 companies (70%), as show in Table 4.
In regard to the 4 petrochemical companies (Companies
1, 3, 5, 10), a list of the chemicals used in the production
process in terms of the report concerning safety and hazard
assessment of toxic chemicals in the workplace (Sor Or.
 388 J Occup Health, Vol. 53, 2011

Table 3. Products and chemicals used in petrochemical companies at the MTPIE, Thailand, 2008 (n=10)
Company Product Chemical useda
1 Polyester Acetic acid, acetone, acetylene, antimony trioxide, Dowtherm (biphenyl),
chloroform, dichlorobenzene, diethyl ether, ethylene glycol (EG), ethyl methyl
ketone, fuel oil, phenol, phosphoric acid, pyridine, sulfuric acid, terephthalic acid,
toluene
2 Phenolic resin N/A
3 Nylon tyre cord Acetone, acetylacetone, acetylene, aluminum chloride, barium chloride, cadmium
chloride, calcium hydroxide, carbon tetrachloride, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, ethyl
alcohol, ethyl chloride, formaldehyde, formic acid, hydrochloride, hydrogen gas,
hydrogen peroxide, methyl alcohol, nitrogen gas, oxalic acid, oxygen liquid,
phosphoric acid, potassium dichromate, potassium hydroxide, potassium
permanganate, silver nitrate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium
hypochlorite, sodium nitrite, sulfuric acid, toluene
4 Melamine formaldehyde No data
compound
5 Methyl methacrylate (MMA), Acetone, butyl alcohol, butyl methacrylate, cupferron, diethanolamine (DEA),
butyl methacrylate (BMA) hydroquinone, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, isobutyl alcohol, isobutylene,
isobutyl methacrylate, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methacrolein,
methacrylic acid (MAA), methyl alcohol, methyl methacrylate, nalco 356, nalco
7,208, potassium nitrate, sodium bisulfate, sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite,
sodium nitrite, sulfuric acid, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), tetra-n-butyl titanate,
toluene, triethanolamine (TEA)
6 High density polyethylene N/A
(HDPE)
7 Ethylene, propylene No data
8 Ethylene, olefins, propylene No data
9 Benzene, cyclohexane, No data
toluene
10 Polystyrene (PS) Ethylbenzene, styrene monomer
a
Data from reports on safety and hazard assessment of toxic chemicals in the workplace (Sor Or. 2). N/A: not applicable.

2) is shown in Table 3. The findings demonstrated that
these companies follow the regulations strictly. Table 4
shows exposure monitoring data for hazards to be
monitored in the workplace and health examination results
regarding PHE and annual health examinations.
Surprisingly, 2 companies (Companies 1 and 4), performed
no PHEs such as monitoring of blood and urine.
Concerning the interrelation of statutory reports
between Sor Or. 3 and Sor Or. 4, Companies 2, 5, 6 and
10 showed interrelation of reports, whereas Companies 3,
7 and 8 did not. These companies had no biological
monitoring of exposure to toluene (Company 3), carbon
disulfide and xylene (Company 7) or xylene (Company
8). Two out of 10 companies (Companies 3 and 7) reported
that the air quality in the workplace exceeded the standards
for some toxic chemicals35). Six companies (Companies
2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8) reported abnormal results of periodic
health examinations. In regard to the annual health
examination of 7 companies, it was found that they
covered routine health examinations, including laboratory
tests, chest x-rays, pulmonary function tests, audiograms,
electrocardiograms and urinalysis (Table 4).
Discussion
This study was designed to characterize and better
understand the health and safety hazards at the MTPIE
and to identify any controls currently in use that are
designed to reduce occupational risk, disease and illness
among workers. The study gathered data related to
occupational health problems in terms of industry-based
chemical exposures together with OHS management in
their companies of employment. The results revealed that
 Uma Langkulsen, et al.: Occupational health and safety in Map Ta Phut 389

Table 4. Exposure monitoring and health examinations of petrochemical companies in MTPIE, Thailand, 2008 (n=10)
Company Parametera Periodic health examinationb Annual health examination
Urine test Blood test Non-blood testsc Blood testd
1 Antimony trioxide, benzene, None None PE, BMI, vision CBC, FBS, RFT
chloroform, test, CXR, PFT (BUN, Cr), LFT
1,4-dichlorobenzene, (spirometry), (SGPT), LP (TC,
tetrachloroethylene, titanium audiogram, U/A TG)
dioxide, toluene, total dust

2 Citric acid, formaldehyde, Benzene (total None No data No data

hydrogen chloride, mercury, phenol), Mercurye,
phenol, sodium hydroxide, Formaldehyde
sulfuric acid

3 Acetic acid, ammoniaf, Formaldehydeh Ammoniai PE, CXR, PFT CBC, LFT (SGOT,
1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, (spirometry), SGPT)
methanol, oil mist, particulate, audiogram, U/A
phenol, phosphoric acid,
respirable dust, sodium
hydroxide, sulfuric acid,
toluene, total dustg, volatile
organic compounds

4 Formaldehyde None None PE, vision test, CBC, FBS, LFT

CXR, PFT (SGOT, SGPT, total
(spirometry), bilirubin, direct
audiogram, U/A, bilirubin), LP (TC,
drug screening in TG, HDL-C)
urine (amphetamine)

5 Toluene, total hydrocarbon Benzenej (total None PE, BMI, vision CBC, FBS, uric
phenol, t,t-MA), test, EKG, CXR, acid, alpha
Toluenek (hippuric PFT (spirometry), fetoprotein, RFT
acid) audiogram, U/S (BUN, Cr), LFT
upper abdomen, (SGOT, SGPT, total
U/A, stool exam, bilirubin, direct
drug screening in bilirubin), LP (TC,
urine (amphetamine) TG, HDL-C)

most of the participating worksites have a good OHS
management system. Although the majority of worksites
had good ventilation systems, problems in terms of odor,
noise, chemical vapors and heat still occurred. The study
focused on the importance of OHS management in the
workplace. Based on the findings, the ten companies
whose workers responded to the questionnaire complied
with OHS regulations, which included employment of a
full-time safety officer, provision of at least one nurse to
perform occupational health services and provision of care
by a physician. Periodic health examinations for
employees who work with toxic chemicals were conducted
by occupational medicine professionals. In addition, the
findings revealed that most workers in the petrochemical
companies were well aware of the potential risks to health
and safety, followed the established safety rules and
protected themselves from risks and danger that may occur
during work. Comparison showed that more operational
workers reported that they always read safety information
and participated in safety campaigns than nonoperational
workers (Table 2). However, previous study demonstrated
that receiving safety information leads to reduced risk36).
Thus, much effort should be placed in raising awareness
among those who are employed at petrochemical plants
as well as to direct efforts in enforcing OHS regulations
in every sector.
Companies using toxic chemicals are required to submit
a report on the environmental conditions within the area
 390 J Occup Health, Vol. 53, 2011

Table 4. continued.
Company Parametera Periodic health examinationb Annual health examination
Urine test Blood test Non-blood testsc Blood testd
6 Ethylene, hexane, ozone, toluene Hexane , Toluene
l
None No data No data
(hippuric acid)
7 Benzene, carbon disulfide, Benzene (phenyl None PE, BMI, vision test, CBC, FBS, RFT
ethylbenzene, ethylene dichloride, glucuronide, t,t-MA), EKG, CXR, PFT (BUN, Cr), LFT
methanol, respirable dust, styrene, Hexane (spirometry), (SGOT, SGPT, total
toluene, vinyl chloride (2,5-Hexanedione), audiogram, U/A bilirubin, direct
monomerm, xylene Styrene (mandelic bilirubin, ALP), LP
acid), Toluenen (TC, TG, HDL-C,
(hippuric acid) LDL-C)

8 Arsenic, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, Arsenico, Benzenep None PE, BMI, vision test, CBC, FBS, uric acid,
chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, (phenyl glucuronide, EKG, CXR, PFT RFT (BUN, Cr), LFT
dichloromethane, ethylene oxide, t,t-MA), Mercury, (spirometry), (SGOT, SGPT, total
tetrachloroethylene, toluene, Tolueneq (hippuric audiogram, U/A bilirubin, direct
trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride acid) bilirubin, ALP), LP
monomer, xylene (TC, TG, HDL-C),
hepatitis B virus
9 Benzene, cyclohexane, xylene No data No data PE, vision test, CXR, CBC, RFT (BUN,
audiogram, U/A Cr), LFT (SGOT,
SGPT), LP
10 Ethylbenzene, styrene monomer, Styrene (mandelic None No data No data
total dust acid)
a
Data from reports on the concentrations of toxic chemicals in ambient air in the workplace and storage areas for toxic chemicals
(Sor Or. 3). Data collection year: Company 1=2006; Company 2=2006–2007; Company 3=1999, 2002–2008; Company 4=2006–
2007; Company 5=2002–2008; Company 6=2002–2008; Company 7=2006–2008; Company 8=2003–2008; Company 9=2005–
2008; Company 10=2001–2003, 2005–2007. b Data from reports on health examination results of workers who work with toxic
chemicals (Sor Or. 4). Data collection year: Company 2=2000, 2006–2007; Company 3=1999, 2001–2006; Company 5=2003–2007;
Company 6=2003, 2006–2007; Company 7=2005–2007; Company 8=2004–2007; Company 10=2001–2007. t,t-MA: trans,trans-
muconic acid. c PE, general physical examination; BMI, body mass index; EKG, electrocardiogram; CXR, chest x-ray; PFT,
pulmonary function test; U/S, ultrasound; U/A, urinalysis. d CBC, complete blood count; FBS, fasting blood sugar; RFT, renal
function test; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; Cr, creatinine; LFT, liver function test; SGOT, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase;
SGPT, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; LP, lipid profile; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglyceride;
HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol. e 1 in 13 workers showed an abnormal
level in urine in 2007. f 1 in 3 air samples exceeded the standard in 2008. g 2 in 10 air samples exceeded the standard in 2006. h 1
in 39 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2005. i 4 in 80 workers showed an abnormal level in plasma in 2001. j 1 in 37
workers showed an abnormal level of total phenol in urine in 2003; 5 in 49 workers showed an abnormal level of t,t-muconic acid in
urine in 2006; and 10 in 49 workers showed an abnormal level of t,t-muconic in urine in 2007. k 1 in 49 workers showed an abnormal
level in urine in 2006. l 2 in 32 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2007. m 2 in 4 air samples exceeded the standard in
2007. n 3 in 122 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2006. o 12 in 64 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2004;
65 in 297 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2005; and 31 in 281 workers showed an abnormal level in urine in 2007. p
1 in 325 workers showed an abnormal level of t,t-muconic acid level in urine in 2007. q 1 in 325 workers showed an abnormal level
in urine in 2007.

and the results of health examinations of their employees
to the local Labor Protection and Welfare Office, the
government authorities, in accordance with the Notification
on workplace safety related to toxic chemicals 34).
However, these reports, in hard copy, are received without
any review process and are kept at the local Labor
Protection and Welfare Office, where no further actions
are usually taken. This results in the inaccuracy in these
reports stemming from either intentional or unintentional
misinterpretation of the guidelines set by the Labor
Ministry. Thus, the critical issue that seemed to be
overwhelmingly addressed by the stakeholders was a need
 Uma Langkulsen, et al.: Occupational health and safety in Map Ta Phut
for the development and maintenance of a database that
integrates information with regard to OHS and the
environmental quality within industry work sites.
However, the stakeholders recognized the importance of
the well-being of the workers and that it requires an
effective and efficient monitoring and surveillance system,
which must be based on a comprehensive and integrated
database system.
Interestingly, statutory reports indicated that some
employers might not understand the need for health
examinations in relation to exposure to toxic chemicals at
their plants (Table 4). By law, there is currently no
standard guideline for medical monitoring depending on
the toxic chemical involved; therefore, standards and
guidelines need to be established. The above suggests the
need for establishment of policy and strategy guidelines
and an OHS protection system appropriate for the current
situation and to reduce the incidence rate of work-related
disease and illness.
Generally, biological monitoring of urine and blood
provides an indication of exposure to chemicals in the
workplace and is a key part of health surveillance and
exposure assessment37). Urinary phenol is used as a
biomarker of benzene exposure in some companies (Table
4). However, urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA)
or S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) is used as a
biomarker of benzene exposure for much more reliable
and sensitive occupational investigations38). Our study
recommends that these biomarkers should be used in
petrochemical plants at the MTPIE.
A limitation of this study that needs to be addressed is
access to exposure and health examination reports.
Exposure reports include results of monitoring done to
determine employee exposure to toxic chemicals and
reports of toxic chemicals used in the workplace. Health
examination reports include results of PHEs and annual
health examinations. However, this study is the first to
explore these reports with the aim of improving OHS for
petrochemical plants at the MTPIE. The results could be
used to formulate future OHS management priorities in
the petrochemical sector.
In conclusion, most petrochemical plants in our study
appeared to uphold the occupational safety measures as
mandated by industrial regulations. However, OHS
management with regard to exposure to toxic chemicals
needs immediate attention and further investigation. The
results of this study indicate the need for future action in
OHS management at the MTPIE.
Acknowledgments: We are grateful to the Office of the
Higher Education Commission, Thailand, for funding this
study under the Strategic Scholarships for Frontier
Research Network Program. We sincerely thank the World
Health Organization for financial support [Project
#080017]. We would like to express our sincere thanks
391
to the employees of the petrochemical companies for
providing data. In addition, we would like to thank the
Rayong Provincial Office of Labor Protection and Welfare
for providing useful data. Finally, we wish to thank Dr.
Chaiyuth Chavalitnitikul for constructive comments about
the study.
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