Evaluation of benzene exposure and life style among bus drivers in Bangkok

Abstract

Introduction: Bus drivers were one of the groups who had exposed with benzene. It affected to nervous and bloodsystems especially leukemia. Bus drivers’ life styles were risked because they worked about 8 – 10hours or more per day which affected to their health. The objective was to evaluate benzene exposureand life style among bus drivers in Bangkok.

Methods: This research was a cross sectional study. The sample 80 persons; 40 cases who worked as bus driversand 40 as a control. The assessment tools were as follows: questionnaires inquiring about demographicdata, life style and in collecting the air samples a personal “Organic vapor monitor (3M 3500)” wasattached to breathing zone of the sample groups.

Results: Mean age of bus drivers was 45.4 years and that of controlled group age 34.1 years. Fifty percent ofbus drivers worked at least 8 hours per day, and 32.5 percent was smokers. For life style of cases, wefound that most of them (55.0%) had middle score level for breakfast. The score level of mental healthfound that 85.0 % of cases had low score level. In collecting the air samples, a personal “Organic VaporMonitor (3M 3500)” was attached to the shirt in front of the chest level of the cases. Results of thestudy group showed average ± SD measures of benzene 0.55 ± 0.650 μg/m³. The average comparisonof benzene exposure was significantly different between the study and control groups at the level 0.001.

Conclusion: The bus drivers had exposed to benzene while working and their life style was not correct. Therefore,there should be organized training in order to gain knowledge and understanding of hazard and protection.

Key words: Benzene, Life style, Bus driver