The investigation of exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) with Solid Phase Microextr action Method in gas station in Yazd province

Abstract

Abstract Background: Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are volatile organic compounds which their physical and chemical characteristics are similar. Evaporation of BTEX from gasoline in petrol station into the air causes gasoline station attendants expose to them. A new extraction method of volatile organic compounds is solid phase microextraction (SPME). The aim of this study is to optimize extraction conditions of BTEX from air samples and then determination of gasoline station air contamination with BTEX in Yazd. Material and Methods: In this study air samples were collected using Tedlar bags and then extracted and analyzed with SPME fiber and gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. Results: Our results indicate that PDMS/CAR has the best peak area in comparison with two other fibers The Optimized extraction and desorption times are estimated 3 and 1 minutes, respectively Mean concentration of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene in gas station’s air were 1932±807, 667±405, 148±89, 340±216 µg/m3 respectively. Conclusion: Benzene mean concentration is above threshold limit value (0.5PPM). Whereas, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene mean concentration are lower than threshold limit values.

Keywords

• volatile organic compounds
• BTEX
• SPME
• gasoline station