Cancer Risk Analysis of Benzene and Ethyl Benzene in Painters

Several effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been recognized such as toxic and carcinogenic human health effects. To evaluate cancer risk of benzenes air samples were taken, at an automobile manufacturing painters in Tehran following inhalation exposure.
To perform this study, cross-sectional was done in 2016. Sampling was carried out by active pump sampler using the NIOSH method 1501. A total of 40 samples of BTEX were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). In final, estimated terms of Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) was for cancer risk and Exposure Concentration (EC) for non-cancer.
The 4-weeks average benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene exposure levels in exposed subjects were 0.775±0.12, 1.2±2.08, 45.8±8.5 and 42.5±23.9 ppm, respectively. The result of the study indicated that, among all of the BTEX compounds, toluene had the lower concentration. The mean cancer risk for exposed workers to benzene and ethyl benzene were estimated at 3.21×10-2 and 3.63×10-2 respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to BTEX compounds was higher than the reference hazard level of one. Statistical tests showed significant difference between concentrations of pollutant in the breathing zone of workers with age and duration of employment (P This study suggests that, pollutant exposed workers are influenced the actual cancer and non-cancer risk (exposed to BTEX compounds) compared to those who were not exposed. Exposure to benzene and ethyl benzene would increase the risk of cancer in automobile manufacturing factories painters.