Volatile Organic Compounds as a Preventive Health Challenge in the Petrochemical Industries

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of long‑term exposure to VOCs on
employees’ clinical parameters in one of the main petroleum centers in Iran.

Methods: In this
case‑control study, 80 operational and administrative employees with 8–15 years of work experience
were considered as the case and control groups. Liver function was evaluated by measuring serum
alanine transaminase (ALT) activity and lipid profile was measured. Gas chromatography‑mass
spectrometry (GC‑MS) was used to analyze the VOCs levels at the workplace.

Results: There were
increased levels of serum ALT (P = 0.003), triglycerides (P = 0.015), total cholesterol (P = 0.003), and
LDL‑C (P = 0.010) among the operational staffs compared to the administrative staffs. Assessment
of the relationship between worksite pollutants and ALT levels revealed that there were significant
positive relationship between benzene (r = 0.45, P = 0.004) and styrene (r = 0.37, P = 0.034) with
increased ALT concentrations.

Conclusions: VOC exposure could be contributed to reduced liver
function and impaired lipid profile. Therefore, proper preventive strategies seem to be necessary for
reducing hazardous exposure.

Keywords: Lipid profile, liver enzyme, petrochemical employees, volatile organic compounds