Background

The Clean Air Act of the Philippines mandates the phase—out of leaded gasoline by January 2001.  However, in responding to the need to remove lead, which serves as an anti knock agent in gasoline, aromatic hydrocarbon have been added, most of which have been documented to cause severe illness.

Gasoline is a complex mixture of petroleum dyrocarbon such as benzene which has been proven to cause leukemia and aplastic anemia.  Studies have documented possible renal and neorologic effects from its hydrocarbon content.

Objective

The objective of this study is to assess the exposure levels and absorbed levels of gasoline attendants and street vendors to benzene, toluene and xylene.  Results of the study will serve as a basis in recommending appropriate measures to safeguard the safety and health of gasoline attendants and maybe used if future study of gasoline reformulation has occurred.

Methodology

Surveys and interviews to find out the perceptions of the respondents on the health effects of this exposure were conducted.

Air sampling and biologic monitoring were carried out to determine the exposure level of the respondents to benzene, toluene and xylene.

EDSA as considered to be the busiest road and that it encompasses a number of cities, was selected location for the samples.  Of the study of the 19 gasoline stations along EDSA, seven stations (each located in Caloocan, South Road, Balintawak, Project 7, Cubao and Connecticut) participated in the study.  Three gasoline attendants and one vendor in every gasoline station were chosen randomly.

Results

The study showed that gasoline attendants and street vendors were both exposed to Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX).  Exposure of gasoline attendants were found to be fourteen times higher in benzene, nine times higher in toluene and three times higher in xylene compared to the vendor’s exposure.  Based on the data gathered from the questionnaire, most of the respondents have undergone job orientation and emergency response training including fire safety.

Conclusion

The study showed the lack of awareness of gasoline attendants on the risk of handling chemicals.  Gasoline attendants having been exposed to a higher level of solvents compared to street vendors.  Street vendors were also exposed to BTX attributed to vehicular emission.

Recommendation

Even though this study showed that the exposure level of the respondents met the permissible exposure levels researchers find it imperative to provide the workers with adequate training on proper handling of gasoline studied.  Appropriate measures should be provided to safeguard the safety and health of gasoline attendants.

Reformulation of gasoline components should be considered to protect workers from risk of exposure.  Strict implementation of clean air act both on the air emission and technology development should be enforced.