Level of Exposure to Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) in the air which affects Respiratory and Nervous Systems of Motorcycle-taxi Drivers.

Abstract

This analytical - cross sectional study aims to study the concentration of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) in the breathing zone of motorcycle-taxi drivers and its effects on respiratory and nervous systems. The 50 sample subjects include 25 motorcycle-taxi drivers and 25 office workers from indoor environment. The instruments were questionnaires, a spirometer for lung function test, and an organic vapor monitor (3M 3500) for BTEX collection. All data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, percentile, median, minimum and maximum values, and inferential statistics using Mann-Whitney U-test. The results showed that the motorcycle-taxi drivers had a working period of 5.9 ± 1.2 days/week, and driving 8.8 ± 2.2 hours per day. They drove 115.4 ±58.6 kilometers per day. Twenty-four percent of them wore personal protective equipment for the respiratory system. The BTEX concentrations have complied with the ACGIH standard. The respiratory symptoms and lung function parameters such as cough, sputum, shortness of breath when walking flat or lean, and lung function parameters (%FEV, FEV1/FVC) in the motorcycle-taxi driver group were significantly different from the control group (p <0.05). The nervous effects of the motorcycle-taxi driver group had higher scores than the control group in weakness in arms and feet, rapid change of mood, and slow in daily activities. The BTEX exposure was low level but the motorcycle-taxi drivers still have the risk of health because they expose near the source, and they did not regularly wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (PPE). Suggestions, they should receive communication to be aware of their health risks and wear personal respiratory equipment regularly and correctly.