Exposure to MTBE, TAME and aromatic hydrocarbons during gasoline pump maintenance, repair and inspection

J Occup Health. 2006 Sep;48(5):347-57. doi: 10.1539/joh.48.347.

Abstract

The exposure of gasoline pump repairers and inspectors to gasoline was studied at service stations and repair shops in Finland in April-June 2004. The average air temperature ranged from 7 degrees C to 16 degrees C and wind speed from 2.5 to 7 m/s. The gasoline blends contained mixtures of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), the total content of oxygenates being 11-12%. The content of benzene was <1%. Breathing zone air was collected during the work task using passive monitors. The mean sampling period was 4.5 h. The mean TWA-8 h concentrations for MTBE, TAME, hexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were 4.5, 1.3, 0.55, 0.23, 2.2, 0.26 and 1.1 mg/m3, respectively. None of the individual benzene concentrations exceeded the binding limit value for benzene (3.25 mg/m3). The sum concentration of MTBE and TAME in urine was between 8.9 and 530 nmol/l in individual post-shift samples. The individual sum concentrations of the metabolites tert-butyl alcohol and tert-amyl alcohol collected the following morning after the exposure ranged from 81 to 916 nmol/l. All individual results were below corresponding biological action levels. Exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons was estimated from post-shift urine samples, with benzene showing the highest concentration (range 4.4 and 35 nmol/l in non-smokers). The exposure levels were similar to those measured in previous studies during unloading of tanker lorries and railway wagons. The results indicated a slightly higher exposure for inspectors, who calibrated fuel pump gauges at the service stations, than for pump repairers. No significant skin exposure occurred during the study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / urine
  • Finland
  • Gasoline*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / analysis*
  • Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / urine
  • Maintenance*
  • Male
  • Methyl Ethers / analysis*
  • Methyl Ethers / urine
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Gasoline
  • Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
  • Methyl Ethers
  • methyl tert-butyl ether
  • tertiary-amyl methyl ether