Refineries, petroleum, benzene exposure

Kawai T, Yamaoka K, Uchida Y, et al. 1990. Benzene exposure in a Japanese petroleum refinery. Toxicol Lett 52(2) 135-139. 

The manuscript entitled A Recommended Standard for Occupational Exposure to Refined Petroleum Solvents from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, July 1977, recommended standards to be applied to occupational exposure of workers to the following refinery petroleum solvents petroleum ether, rubber solvent, varnish maker s and painter s naphtha, mineral spirits, Stoddard solvents, and kerosene are all included in the term refined petroleum solvents. According to these standards petroleum ether and rubber solvents which contain 1.5% benzene, varnish maker s and painter s naphtha which contain 1.5% benzene, mineral spirits which contain 13-19% aromatics, Stoddard solvent which contains 0.1% benzene, 140 Flash Aliphatic Solvent which contains 0.7% benzene, kerosene. NIOSH indicated that some ofthe refined petroleum solvents contain aromatic hydrocarbons including, in some cases, benzene. Standards were applied, among others, to reduce the benzene exposure. Among others, the use of respirators and skin protective devices were required to protect from the effects of the solvents, as well as the benzene component. In his testimony in front of the Occupational Safety and Health... 

---