Evaluation of Air Pollutants Caused by Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene at Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP in 2022

Subject Areas : Journal of Chemical Health Risks

Kuanysh Syman ^{1 *} , Zuhra Muter Saleh ² , Ahmed Hasoon ³ , Farah A. Dawood ⁴ , Zinah Salem Awfi ⁵ , Luau Ali Khaleel ⁶ , Bekenova Nazym ⁷ , Omarov Nazarbek Bakytbekovich ⁸ , Aldiyar E. Masalov ⁹

1 - Institute of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
2 - Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq
3 - Engineering Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
4 - Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, AL-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
5 - Department of Dental Industry Techniques, Al-Noor University College, Nineveh, Iraq
6 - National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
7 - Institute of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
8 - Non-profit Joint Stock Company, Semey Medical University, Department of Hospital Surgery, Semey, Kazakhstan
9 - PhD doctoral student of the 2nd year of study in the specialty "Medicine", Department of Hospital and Pediatric Surgery, NJSC "Semey Medical University". Semey, Republic of Kazakhstan

Received: 2023-03-16 Accepted : 2023-05-27 Published : 2023-12-01

Keywords: Toluene, Volatile organic compounds, occupational exposure, Benzene, Xylenes,

Abstract :

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, and xylene are toxic air pollutants which are released into the atmosphere by various human activities such as gasoline production and use, chemical manufacturing and incineration of certain waste. These pollutants are also harmful to the environment, causing harm to plants, aquatic life, and soil quality. Therefore, it is important to implement measures to reduce emissions from these substances. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the air pollutants caused by benzene, toluene, and xylene at Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP in 2021–2022. In order to calculate the sample size for this cross-sectional study, the preliminary evaluation findings from a related study that measured the concentration of hydrocarbons in petrochemical facilities were employed. 281 samples were gathered between the winter and summer of 2022. The national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH) methods of 1501 was applied to conduct the sampling and analysis of pollutants. The air was sampled using a charcoal tube sampler that was attached to a pump. The chemicals were then extracted using the solvent carbon disulfide (CS2), and samples were then analyzed using a capillary-equipped gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23.0. The findings demonstrated that benzene concentrations in the sampling areas throughout the winter and summer were higher than the recommended value advised by the American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH).

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