Health risks of inhalation exposure to BTEX in a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Middle East city: Shiraz, Iran

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, known as BTEX, adversely affect human health. This study aimed to measure BTEX concentration and assess the health risk through inhalation exposure to these compounds in a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The ambient air samples were collected using the active sampling method in summer and winter. Sampling sites were close to wastewater treatment units, including bar screen & grit chamber (Site-1), aeration tank & secondary clarifiers (Site-2), anaerobic sludge digester (Site-3), and office & control building (Site-4). Results indicate that the mean levels of benzene and toluene in winter were higher than in summer. The levels of benzene and toluene were below the occupational exposure levels of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ) were assessed using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) method, and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) was applied to quantify the uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. The CRs for all sampling sites were below the U.S.EPA threshold limit (1.0 x 10-4). The HQ values for benzene nearby Site-2 were above 1.0, indicating inhalation exposure could pose a health hazard. Besides, the HQ results for exposure to toluene in all sampling sites were less than 1.0. The sensitivity analysis had shown that the risk determinant for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk was exposure time, followed by concentration.

Automated summary

This study measured BTEX concentration in a municipal wastewater treatment plant and assessed the health risks of inhalation exposure to these compounds. The results showed that benzene and toluene levels in winter were higher than in summer, but below occupational exposure levels. The carcinogenic risks at all sampling sites were below U.S.EPA threshold, indicating no cancer risk.