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Investigation of gasoline distributions within petrol stations: spatial and seasonal concentrations, sources, mitigation measures, and occupationally exposed symptoms

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Abstract

We measured levels of VOCs and determined the distributions of benzene concentrations over the area of two petrol stations in all three seasons. Using the concentrations and sampling positions, we created isoconcentration contour maps. The average concentrations ranged 18–1288 μg m−3 for benzene and 12–81 μg m−3 for toluene. The contour maps indicate that high-level contours of benzene were found not only at the fuel dispenser areas but also at the storage tank refilling points, open drainage areas where gasoline-polluted wastewater was flowing, and the auto service center located within the station area. An assessment of the benzene to toluene ratio contour plots implicates that airborne benzene and toluene near the fuel dispenser area were attributed to gasoline evaporation although one of the studied stations may be influenced by other VOC sources besides gasoline evaporation. Additionally, during the routine refilling of the underground fuel storage tanks by a tank truck, the ambient levels of benzene and toluene increased tremendously. The implementation of source control by replacing old dispensers with new fuel dispensers that have an efficient cutoff feature and increased delivery speed can reduce spatial benzene concentrations by 77 %. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey among 63 service attendants in ten stations revealed that headache was the most reported health complaint with a response rate of 32 %, followed by fatigue with 20 %. These prominent symptoms could be related to an exposure to high benzene concentrations.

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Acknowledgments

The materials used were funded by a Research and Researchers grant for Industries-RRI, Thailand Research Fund (TRF) under the contract no. MSD57I0132 and Roi-et Phakthichai Ltd. Part. We also thank Mahasarakham University Development Fund and Centre of Laboratory Equipment as well as the petrol stations participating in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Theerapong Sairat & Maneerat Ongwandee

  2. Civil Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Sahalaph Homwuttiwong

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Kritsana Homwutthiwong

Authors
  1. Theerapong Sairat
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  2. Sahalaph Homwuttiwong
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  3. Kritsana Homwutthiwong
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  4. Maneerat Ongwandee
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Correspondence to Maneerat Ongwandee.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Sairat, T., Homwuttiwong, S., Homwutthiwong, K. et al. Investigation of gasoline distributions within petrol stations: spatial and seasonal concentrations, sources, mitigation measures, and occupationally exposed symptoms. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 13870–13880 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4615-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4615-3

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