title: Personal exposure to benzene and 1,3-butadiene during petroleum refinery turnarounds and work in the oil harbour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Petroleum refinery workers' exposure to the carcinogens benzene and 1,3-butadiene has decreased during normal operations. However, certain occupational groups or events at the refineries still involve a risk of higher exposures. The aim of this study was to examine the personal exposure to benzene and 1,3-butadiene at refinery turnarounds and during work in the oil harbour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal exposure measurements of benzene and 1,3-butadiene were taken during work shifts, with a priori assumed higher benzene exposure, using PerkinElmer diffusive samplers filled with Carbopack X. Mean exposure levels were calculated, and repeated exposure measurements, when available, were assessed using mixed effect models. Group and individual compliance with the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) was tested for the different exposure groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean benzene exposure levels for refinery workers during the three measured turnarounds were 150, 610 and 960 µg/m3, and mean exposures for oil harbour workers and sewage tanker drivers were 310 and 360 µg/m3, respectively. Higher exposures were associated with handling benzene-rich products. Most occupational groups did not comply with the Swedish OEL for benzene nor did the individuals within the groups. The exposure to 1,3-butadiene was very low, between <1 and 3 % of the Swedish OEL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work within the petroleum refinery industry, with potential exposure to open product streams containing higher fractions of benzene, pose a risk of personal benzene exposures exceeding the OEL. Refinery workers performing these work tasks frequently, such as contractors, sewage tanker drivers and oil harbour workers, need to be identified and protected.
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 414, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden. magnus.akerstrom@amm.gu.se.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Akerstrom
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 414, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Almerud
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 414, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Andersson
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 414, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Strandberg
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 414, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Sallsten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis*; D002070:Butadienes / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D000066388:Oil and Gas Industry; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D001554:Benzene; C031763:1,3-butadiene
keywords: 1,3-Butadiene; Benzene; Exposure; Oil harbour; Refinery turnaround