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The aim of this study was to evaluate benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) exposure among workers at four stations of a major oil distribution company. Personal BTEX exposure samples were collected over working shift (8 h) for 50 workers at four stations of a major oil distribution company in Iran. Measured mean values for workers across four sites were benzene (2437, 992, 584, and 2788 μg/m 3 respectively), toluene (4415, 2830, 1289, and 9407 μg/m 3 ), ethylbenzene (781, 522, 187, and 533 μg/m 3 ), and xylene (1134, 678, 322, and 525 μg/m 3 ). The maximum mean concentration measured across sites for benzene was 2788 μg/m 3 (Station 4), toluene was 9407 μg/m 3 (Station 4), ethylbenzene was 781 μg/m 3 (Station 1) and xylene was 1134 μg/m 3 (Station 1). The 8 h averaged personal exposure benzene concentration exceeded the recommended value of 1600 μg/m 3 established by the Iranian Committee for Review and Collection of Occupational Exposure Limit and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Mean values for excess lifetime cancer risk for exposure to benzene were then calculated across workers at each site. Estimates of excess risk ranged from 1.74 ± 4.05 (Station 4) to 8.31 ± 25.81 (Station 3). Risk was assessed by calculation of hazard quotients and hazard indexes, which indicated that xylene and particularly benzene were the strongest contributors. Tanker loading was the highest risk occupation at these facilties. Risk management approaches to reducing exposures to BTEX compounds, especially benzene, will be important to the health of workers in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica (ARCS) particles and to evaluate its risk level among workers employed in eight different workplaces in Iran. They included sandblasting operations, ceramic production, sand and gravel work, brick production, asphalt manufacturing, foundry operation, glass making, and stone cutting. Personal exposure to ARCS was measured in randomly selected samples from each workplace. The maximum and minimum average of ARCS concentration in the eight workplaces were observed in foundry operation (0.338 ± 0.110 mg/m3) and glass manufacturing (0.125 ± 0.093 mg/m3), respectively. The average concentration of ARCS in all assessed working conditions were higher than the permitted limit of occupational contact recommended by Technical Committee of the Iranian Ministry of Health, treatment and medical education (0.025 mg/m3). Overall, the results showed a serious lack of control in Iranian industries with respect to workers' exposures to ARCS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]