Determining the Exposure of Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (in Condensate) in a Chemical Laboratory of Natural Gas Company by Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA)

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

Chemical health risk assessment evaluates how frequently workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals in a natural gas company laboratory and quantifies exposure to understand overall risk levels. The study applies the Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) approach using qualitative, observational data, starting with chemical identification and hazard rating, followed by exposure evaluation and appraisal of existing control measures. Findings assess BTX (benzene, toluene, xylene in condensate) risk across laboratory work units, concluding with recommendations for maintaining and improving controls, monitoring, health surveillance, and periodic reassessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Chemical risk assessment rationale

Laboratory chemical exposure and health effects

Material and Method

CHRA approach and procedure

Hazard Rating (HR) assessment

Result and Conclusion

Work units and BTX risk level

Control measures and reassessment

1392 Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, January-March 2021, Vol 15, No 1 Determining the Exposure of Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (in Condensate ) in a Chemical Laboratory of Natural Gas Company by Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) Nora Putri Sabilla1, Noeroel Widajati2 1Research Scholar, 2Professor of Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health Faculty, Airlangga University, 60115, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia; Abstract Introduction: Chemical risk assessment is needed to find out how high the hazard level of chemicals in the laboratory. This chemical health risk assessment will assess how often the chemical is exposed to workers, how much exposure it is so that the level of risk can be understood. The purpose of enabling decisions to be made on appropriate control measure, training of employees, monitoring and surveillance activities as maybe required to protect the health of employees who may exposed by hazardous chemicals to health at work. Methods: This research is research with a qualitative approach. Based on the data collected, this study is observational. This study uses the Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) method. This method is carried out by identifying chemicals, determining Hazard Rating, evaluating exposure, assessing the adequacy of the control measures that have been carried out, concluding the CHRA results, and identifying the efforts that need to be made. Result: In this study, there are three work units, namely a wet laboratory, oil laboratory, and gas laboratory. The chemicals analyzed are benzene, toluene, and xylene in the condensate. The hazardous chemical have significant risk now and already adequately controlled could increase in future (C2) which mean that the employees are at risk due to hazardous chemicals and it adequately controlled but the risk can increase in the future. Conclusion : Therefore, several steps can be taken to control the risk of health hazards from benzene, toluene, and xylene in the condensate, for example: determine precaution to maintain controls and minimize chances of higher exposure occurring; determine additional measures for regaining control if a high-risk event occurs despite precaution; identify measures, procedures, and equipment to prevent or control any accidental emission of chemical hazardous to health, determine if monitoring or health surveillance is required to check on the effectiveness of controls; and review assessment every five years or when is a change in circumstances. Key words: Hazardous chemicals, risk assessment, BTX, CHRA Introduction Natural gas processing companies are one of the industries that have laboratory facilities to support their production. However, the laboratory is one place where various chemicals gather in one place. Chemical exposure can have the potential to cause health problems for workers. Chemical laboratory workers have a significant risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals 1. This laboratory functions to maintain the quality of raw materials until the finished product is ready tobe marketed. Some of the chemicals in the laboratory include benzene, toluene, and xylene in the condensate which is analyzed three times a day. Acute exposure to high concentrations of benzene can directly occur in the nervous system, skin, respiratory system, and digestive system2. Health effects due to exposure to toluene are divided into two categories3. Acute effects, trough Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, January-March 2021, Vol. 15, No. 1 1393 inhalation toluene can cause euphoria, drunkenness, dizziness, trembling, convulsions, respiratory disorders, and tremors. Trough ingestion toluene can cause oropharyngeal and digestive tract. On the eyes, it can cause lacrimation and corneal damage, while it may cause erythema and dry skin trough dermal exposure. Effects due to chronic exposure to toluene via inhalation are damage to the liver, kidneys, and nerves, w

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) in this study?

To determine how often laboratory chemicals are exposed to workers and how much exposure occurs, so the risk level can be understood for appropriate control and protection measures.

Which chemicals and sampling context are assessed in the laboratory?

The study analyzes benzene, toluene, and xylene present in the condensate, associated with natural gas refinery laboratory work units.

How are control measures handled and what follow-up actions are recommended?

The CHRA evaluates the adequacy of control measures already in place, then recommends steps to maintain controls, add measures if higher-risk events occur, and consider monitoring or health surveillance, with reassessment every five years or when circumstances change.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious