Symptoms, lung and liver function, blood counts, and genotoxic effects in coastal tanker crews

The deck crew on tankers can be exposed to high concentrations of benzene and other chemicals during loading, unloading and tank-cleaning operations. The objective of this study was to investigate whether genotoxic or other early health effects of cargo vapour exposure could be detected in coastal tanker crews.

The association between exposure to cargo vapours and clinical symptoms and signs, spirometry, blood cell count, blood test for liver function, and the frequency of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral lymphocytes was studied in a cross-sectional investigation of 107 male crew members (66 deck crew and 41 others) on ten coastal tankers.

Seven of the tankers had automatic cargo level gauging systems but some of the ships still had open hatches during loading and unloading operations. Acute symptoms such as headache, nausea, vertigo, fatigue and dizziness after loading or tank-cleaning operations were reported by 56 of the 66 deck crew members (85%). Irritation of the mucous membrane in eyes and upper respiratory tract by cargo vapours were also common in this group. Obstructive symptoms were more common in the group with the highest exposure to cargo vapours but persistent effects on lung function (vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s), nervous system, liver enzymes or blood counts were not found. The frequency of micronuclei after mitotic stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin was higher among the deck crew (mean 4.2 SEM 0.40) than in other crew members (mean 3.6, SEM 0.35). although the difference was not statistically significant. We found no association between exposure and the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges or micronuclei after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen.

This study indicates that exposure to cargo vapours in coastal tanker crews may cause symptoms in the respiratory and nervous systems.