Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to petroleum fuels with special consideration on the role of benzene as a genotoxic component

Project Information

Grant agreement ID: CIPD930028

Project closed

Start date 1 April 1994

End date 28 February 1997

Funded under

• Scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and European non-member countries, 1992-

Total cost No data

EU contribution No data

Coordinated by

ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITA
Italy

Objective

Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to petroleum fuels with special consideration on the role of benzene as a genotoxic component.
Oil refinery industry represents major environmental health hazard as being a focal emission source for several pollutants.
Major air pollutants are non-methane carbohydrates, including benzene (B), toluene (T) and xylene (X) (Common abbreviation BTX compounds). Benzene is a proven human carcinogen (IARC classification Group 1). Even low level of exposure to benzene for years might represent genotoxic/carcinogenic hazard.
Szazhalombatta, a medium size town, has Hungary's largest oil refinery. It processes 6.77 million tons of crude oil per year and the emissions threaten 30.000 people living in very close vicinity of the refinery. Preliminary epidemiological studies indicate high incidence of acute respiratory illness among children, twice as high abortuses as the national average, increased lung cancer incidence, further high incidence of allergic diseases.
Determination of BTX level in ambient air has been carried out so far sporadically and biomonitoring of BTX metabolites has been analysed among children and adults.
The proposal for a joint research on benzene exposure would include the following studies: - extension of existing monitoring capacities for benzene; - personal monitoring of benzene exposure on children and adults; - biological monitoring for chromosomal aberration which might indicate benzene exposure; - extended epidemiological studies among children and adults.
Control population will be analysed for the same parameters. Study design: EstablishmentcontinuousBTX measurements (gas chromatography); Elaborate of personal dosimetry using passive monitors; Selection of appropriate population among children and adults on the basis of personal monitoring and background measurements; Verification and validation of preliminary epidemiological studies - targeted epidemiological studies for cancer morbidity and mortality among people living in the benzeneexposed area.
Methods: Gas chromatography (benzene, toluene, xylene analysis) for exposure assessment; Urinary metabolites (hippuric acid); Structural chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL); Targeted epidemiology for non-infectious diseases, with special attention to cancer. Staff involved: Researchers: 60 man/months ; Technicians: 120 man/months

Programme(s)

• IC-PECO/COPERNICUS - Scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and European non-member countries, 1992-

Topic(s)

• 01 - CEEC participation in ENVIRONMENT programme

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITA

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Viale Regina Elena 299 ; 00161 ROMA ; Italy
• Total cost: No data

Participants (1)

'Bela Johan' National Institute of Hygiene

Hungary

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 2-6,Gyáli út ; 1097 Budapest
• Total cost: No data