The Risk Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Chemical Substances by Use of a Global Product Strategy Method in Oil Refinery Industry

Akbari Jafar1,2* and Moradi Rohoddin1

National Oil Refining & Distribution Company (NIORDC), Iran

National Iranian Gas Company, Iran

National Iranian Oil Refining & Distribution Company, Abadan, Iran, Email: akbari.jafar@gmail.com were statistically lower (P <0.009).

Conclusion: The results indicated that the risk of exposure to benzene Items investigated was high. The units ROP, CR1 and distillation 100 had the highest risk score. The results showed that the risk quality 1A (red area) for benzene in the unit NTA, MTBE, distillation (70,100), CR1 and hydrogen sulfide were found in Kat Crocker. Among the substance, benzene has the highest risk score is qualitative.

Keywords: Risk Assessment of occupational exposure; ICCA; GPS; RPP

Introduction

Although the chemicals are each a useful in our daily life, but because of the negative effects on human health and the environment their exposure to the causative costs [1]. To avoid the harmful effects of these chemicals, control and corrective actions when working with them is of great importance [2]. To achieve health objectives for the protection of the work force, it is necessary that exposure to chemicals and risks of these substances to be investigated [3]. For the decisions about control measures and protect employees against the adverse effects of chemicals, the health risks caused by exposure to this material specifically be evaluated [2]. Key solutions for the evaluation of environmental risks associated with exposure to chemical risk assessment process [4, 5, 6]. Health risk assessment to determine the level of exposure to toxic chemicals and the risk of these materials, as well as enables us to make appropriate decisions for the measures needed to protect “its” people. Without risk, there may be less important time and resources to spend risks and substantial risks to be neglected [7]. In Iran, a few studies of occupational exposure to chemical risk assessment. In all the studies provided by the Singapore Institute of Occupational Safety and Health were used [8]. Including studies can be studied Jahangir's was on “Occupational exposure to chemical risk assessment order to provide control measures” in the polyurethane foam industry mentioned [9, 10]. The risk of exposure to seven chemicals, including toluene Isocyanate, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene diami ne, cut acetate (Cosmos), methylene chloride and calcium carbonate was evaluated. In this study it was found that the above mentioned operators the highest risk jobs foam manufacturing toluene isocyanate (operator cutouts), respectively. It was also found that occupational exposure to this material reduces the volume and lung function in workers.

Other studies include study Jahangiriy and motevaghe's [11] on the “health risk assessment of exposure to harmful chemical agents,” mentioned the petrochemical industry [11]. In this study it was found that employees investigated during his career with 10 chemicals, including methyl ethyl ketone, epichlorohydrin, phenol, sulfuric acid, chlorobenzene, toluene, isopropanol, methylene chloride, hydrochloric acid and acetone were exposed. The materials are exposed to the risk rating of epithelial chloride dimenhydrinate in the operation of the reservoirs and utility jobs and repairs maximum and then with epithelial chloride exposure and exposure to methyl ethyl ketone dimenhydrinate technical inspection job in the operation of the reservoirs and utility jobs the highest risk exposure, respectively. The study authors conclude that using the information on the risks and results of measurement and evaluation of chemical agents within the structures of health risk assessment of exposure to chemical pollutants can be harmful different occupations of the face of chemical ranking that results can be prioritized in the allocation of resources to control measures and reduce the level of exposure risk to an acceptable level to be used. Another study by Golbabaei's, et al. [12] that to assess the health risks of exposure to chemical pollutants with emphasis on the risk of leukemia was conducted for the petrochemical industry [12]. In this study it was shown that benzene, with risk factor gained 4.5 -5 risk levels 5. It proves that controlling measures for this harmful and carcinogenic chemical substance should be done as soon as possible [12].

In order to risk assessment of exposure to chemicals from the organizations or countries' different risk assessment methods are provided. Some of these methods can be the Organization method EPA, exposure risk assessment, Japan, Singapore, WHO (World Health Organization) the Organization OECD and more. To manage and control the side effects of their chemicals, ICCA (International Council of Chemical Associations) the Organization in the program GPS (Global product strategy), the risk assessment in the form of a guide entitled “Guide ICCA for risk assessment of chemicals “presented [13]. This risk assessment is based on three “risk characterization, exposure assessment and risk descriptions” to assess the risk of exposure to chemicals. Accordingly, the obtaining rate of risk of exposure to chemicals, based on the level of risk exposure identified and control measures are defined and implemented. The oil refining industry because the purification and production of oil derivatives, has always been a high risk for occupational exposures to chemicals are created. So that’s always harmful chemical agents in the workplace as a crucial factor in such environments has become. Occupational exposure to these chemicals to expose one’s to negative side effects, including respiratory, skin, blood, kidney and puts. Therefore, the implementation of measures to control occupational exposure to these substances and to define corrective actions and control is a necessary and urgent. The purpose of this study is to obtain risk of chemical exposures, the risk of occupational exposure to chemicals (consumer, intermediate and output) are available in different units operating Abadan Oil Refining Company.

Discussion

In order to assess the risk of occupational exposure to BTEX and H$_2$s combinations, the individual exposure of personnel’s exposure was measured and monitored by use of NIOSH organization’s standard methods in 30 different operational units. Then, to estimate the risk exposure, risk chemical descriptions for each of the study by using tables and parameters were defined in the risk assessment guide. Using two parameters and the risk of chemical exposure rate risk exposure level for each substance was obtained. Since the oil refining industry, the source of pollution per unit of fuel is the same, to improve the effectiveness of control measures and corrective highest risk factor achieved (qualitative score description the most hazardous risk) as the basis for action control and correction were considered.

The results also showed that Benzene, in comparison to other studied substances, had the most quality score of risk and was more hazardous for personnel’s health. Since four studied substances were the most dangerous chemicals with certain and different distribution resources in ranking of chemicals hazardous level, the score 1 was registered for all of them. According to this, two achieved numbers of qualitative risk (IC, ID); yellow zone shows the hazard of risk an assessment for exposing to chemicals. So, those units that their risk scores were IA and IB, the level of controlling measures and monitoring chemicals in work place was defined as “urgent and arbitrary implementing of controlling measures”. For those received IC and ID, it was suggested doing continuous improvement and constant monitoring “of chemicals released in the atmosphere of work place. The almost risk rating of occupational exposure were found in ROP, distillation 100 and CR1 units respectively. Other units have different levels of risk rating. However, exposure risk of chemicals for all units was in red and yellow zones. The occupational exposure to oil combinations especially BTEX was not seen in Power plant, water and steam sub-units. Only occupational exposure to s was found in the mentioned places. Steinmaus, et al. [15] studied meta-analysis exposure to Benzene and the prevalence of Non – Hutchins lymphoma (NHL) in petrochemical industries. Each found that exposure to Benzene and working in refinery cause to increase the relative risks of inducing NHL between the studied cases [15]. Baltrėnas, et al. [16] the atmospheric concentration of BTEX in the vicinity of the crude oil refinery in the Baltic region studied. In this study it was found that the average concentration of 2.75 ppbv of benzene from 2.12 ppbv in rural areas to urban areas where traffic had been raised as a dominant source of BTEX emissions was different.

The study also showed that the concentration of benzene in the area around the refinery did not exceed 5ppbv and no significant change in the air quality around the refinery, crude oil, but the effect of this industry on the air quality was observed [16]. Ramirez, et al. [17] studied chronic risk of exposure to volatile organic compounds in the near zone of the biggest industrial site in Mediterranean area. 86 types of mentioned combinations were investigated in this study. No sign of carcinogenic impacts of exposure to VOCs found in their research. World risk of cancer morbidity was also found 3.3 cases in every 10000 people. The result was higher than the amount proposed by the WHO and USEPA [17]. Liu, et al. [18] study of individual exposures and characteristics of carbonyl compounds and BTEX in 210 homes, studied in Beijing China. In this study it was found that the concentration of carbonyl internal and external sources of BTEX emissions were affected, as well as organic solvents in the glue decorations was new houses air pollution [18]. Chiang, et al. [19] studied the risk of exposure to inhalation distributed from facilities of steel industry. The seven combined VOCs include chloroform, carbon tetra chloride, 1, 1, 2- trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, benzene and ethyl benzene were selected to measure the risk of cancer.

The results showed that the four steel production process (including cooking, coke making, the form of hot, cold forming) the concentration of carbon tetra chloride and trichloroethylene were high and concentration of tetrachloroethylene in both cold and warm-up process, thus improving the quality of Current work and protection of workers necessary to reduce the risk of cancer resulted in [19]. Pandya, et al. [20] occupational exposure to VOCs in gasoline refinery fuel terminal assessed. In this study it was found that the overall level of Volatile Organic Compounds 0.1 to 1.97 mg cubic meter. 8-hour exposure to benzene, toluene and xylene isomers was low and less than the threshold limit values for exposure to gasoline compounds [20]. In another study Durmus Oglu, et al. [21] BTEX emissions and health risks discussed in the land fill. The results showed that BTEX emissions landfill was not introduced a threat to the health of workers. In addition, the air dilution BTEX emissions from landfill to guarantee enough to protection of the population in the neighborhood [21].

Based on mentioned necessities noticed in seventh and eighth steps , controlling and revising measures were defined and also the risk of occupational exposure to chemicals were managed according to results achieved from risk assessment and respiratory protection program (RPP) , the following controlling measures were implemented ; prevention from chemicals, poisonous gases and evaporates and also oil substances, isolation of chemicals injection pumps and installation of effective ventilation for sucking the air of isolated air , repairing and replacing old and defective compartments , use of local ventilation during manipulating chemicals in the units such as reverse osmosis , central workshop and other units , providing and using suitable respiratory protection devices , controlling industrial sewage made by units and vapors sent out , providing different educational courses about chemicals, their impacts , the methods of prevention and their control and so on. Order to make these measures effective, it is necessary to reassess risk of occupational exposure to chemicals. Moreover, for better prioritizing chemicals in the process of risk assessment in the industries with different distribution sources, it is better to recognize all substances that workers are exposed to them by sampling and analyzing the samples by use of such machines such as GC-Mass. Then, the proper decision about taking the priority of substances and their producing sources should be made.

Conclusion

In present study, the risk of occupational exposure to and BTEX were assessed by use of GPS method in various operational units of Abadan oil Refinement

Company. According to the results, the risk of exposure to benzene is higher than other substances in operational units. After benzene, the highest rate of employee exposure risk related to hydrogen sulfide compounds, ethyl benzene, toluene and xylene, respectively. In those units that risk rating is more; the prevalence of decreasing lung functions and the risk of suffering from lung disorders is higher. In order to control the hazards of occupational exposure to studied chemicals and personnel protection , urgently controlling and continuous monitoring and constant improvement were defined , respectively , for the studied units with 1 and 2 risk assessment level priorities . Therefore, engineering control and technical and also managing measures were established. Furthermore, suitable respiratory protection devices were given to personnel's. Order to manage the risk and the implementation of the RPP (respiratory protection program) and to protect workers from the adverse effects of exposure to chemical substances, risk assessment of exposure is necessary.