Avaliação do risco a saúde causado por BTEX em escolas localizadas na região metropolitana de Curitiba-PR

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the risk to workers’ health of basic education sector generated by BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene). These environments are located in urban and sub-urban areas and can have internal source or serve as a place of accumulation of these compounds. In addition, these compounds even at low concentrations are toxic, particularly the benzene, considered a proven carcinogen substance for humans. The BTEX’s sampling occurred in four elementary schools located in Curitiba-PR with passive samplers of Radiello®. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). The sources identification analysis was performed by calculating the I/O ratio (indoor and outdoor concentration) and by the correlation between the compounds. The health risk was assessed using a USEPA's risk model that considers exposure conditions and toxicological database to express the risk. In accordance with national and international studies, this study found two main sources of BTEX: vehicular and industrial emissions. The concentrations for BTEX were considered low, and the concentrations of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes did not exceed the levels recommended by NR-15. The benzene concentrations did not exceed the European limit considered safe (5 μg m-3) in any of the samples. The risk for the BTEX concentrations was acceptable, with no significant risk for systemic effects. For carcinogenic effect was determined a probability of 4.5 people develop cancer in 1 million. When the risk model was applied to the limits laid down by the NR-15 the results were considered high for both types of risk (systemic and carcinogenic).