Toxicological and Environmental Aspects

There is a population potentially exposed to toxic agents in the various areas linked to oil activity. In the environments of service stations, we verified the presence of a wide range of hydrocarbons, mainly in the gasoline range, which contains several pollutant compounds. The boiling range from C5 to C10 is around 30 ºC to 210 ºC. Its basic composition is in the range of C4 to C12.

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Lower molecular weight hydrocarbons are gases under the usual conditions of temperature and pressure. The intermediate chain of hydrocarbons, from 5 to 25 carbon atoms, under normal conditions, is in a liquid state. These liquids have high volatility in the chains of 5 to 7 carbon atoms. However, this volatility decreases as the number of carbon atoms increases.

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Even in small quantities, the occupational aspect of service stations causes those who are there to constantly inhale these vapors, which can produce a double effect: initially stimulating the central nervous system and subsequently depressing it. There is experimental evidence that long-term exposure to these hydrocarbons may not be innocuous.

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Studies carried out in the United States and in European countries with reference to organic solvents show that prolonged exposures in the work environment can produce nonspecific neurological and psychiatric symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, headaches, etc.