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Acute high dose exposure to benzene in shipyard workers
M A Midzenski1, M A McDiarmid, N Rothman
1Division of Occupational Health, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Shipyard workers exposed to high benzene levels reported neurotoxic symptoms and blood abnormalities. Prolonged exposure increased risks of dizziness and nausea, highlighting potential health hazards in confined spaces.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Environmental Medicine
Background:
- Benzene exposure is a significant concern in industrial settings, particularly during fuel handling operations.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Benzene Standard mandates medical surveillance for exposed workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the health effects of acute, high-level benzene exposure in shipboard fuel tank degassers.
- To identify hematologic abnormalities and neurotoxic symptoms associated with benzene exposure in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Medical surveillance of 15 degassers acutely exposed to benzene (> 60 ppm).
- Assessment of neurotoxic symptoms and laboratory analyses of hematologic parameters over a 4-month and 1-year follow-up period.
- Analysis of peripheral blood smears for lymphocyte abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 73% of workers reported neurotoxic symptoms initially; dizziness and nausea were more common with longer exposure durations (> 2 days).
- 60% showed hematologic abnormalities consistent with benzene exposure post-exposure, with 40% having persistent abnormalities after one year.
- Numerous large granular lymphocytes were observed in 40% of peripheral blood smears.
Conclusions:
- Acute high-level benzene exposure during shipboard degassing can lead to significant neurotoxic symptoms and hematologic abnormalities.
- Confined space exposure to petroleum products may exceed OSHA limits, posing risks to worker health.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications and associations between exposure levels and health outcomes.