Benzene Exposure Assessment of Underground Storage Tank Contractors

Abstract Benzene and total hydrocarbon (as hexane) exposures were measured during removal, cleaning, pumping, and testing of underground gasoline storage tanks at five gasoline retail outlets in New Jersey during 1988. Personal air samples were collected using 3M 3500 Organic Vapor Monitors with sampling times ranging from 15 minutes to 6.5 hours. Benzene exposures to the observer ranged from 0.12 to 0.43 ppm (sampling times ranging from 4.75 to 6.5 hours). Benzene exposures to laborers during tank removal (including cutting and cleaning) ranged from 0.43 to 3.84 ppm (sampling times ranging from 1.5 to 6 hours). The highest short-term benzene exposure was 9.14 ppm (sampling time 15 minutes) for a tank cleaning assistant. Benzene exposures during tank cutting ranged from 2.16 to 4.57 ppm (sampling times ranged from 0.5 to 3 hours). Benzene exposure to a tank tester was 0.23 ppm (sampling time of 4.75 hours). Total hydrocarbons as hexane were also determined. The mean ratio of benezene to total hydrocarbon ...