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Adverse Health Complaints of Adults Exposed to Benzene After a Flaring Disaster at the BP Refinery Facility in Texas City, Texas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2017

Mark A. D’Andrea  and
G. Kesava Reddy
Mark A. D’Andrea
Affiliation:
University Cancer and Diagnostic Centers, Houston, Texas
G. Kesava Reddy*
Affiliation:
University Cancer and Diagnostic Centers, Houston, Texas
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to G. Kesava Reddy, PhD, MHA, University Cancer and Diagnostic Centers, 12811 Beamer Road, Houston, TX 77089 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the adverse health symptoms experienced by adult subjects who were exposed to benzene after a flaring disaster at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas.

Methods

A total of 2162 adults aged 18 years or older and exposed to benzene were included. Using the patients’ medical charts, we collected and analyzed data on health complaints as well as the patients’ serum levels of beta-2-microglobulin and urinary excretion of phenol.

Results

A total of 11,368 health symptom complaints were reported in 2162 adults exposed to benzene. Neurological symptoms occurred most frequently (174%), followed upper respiratory symptoms (115%), cough (31%), painful joints (30%), cardiac symptoms (28%), dermatological symptoms (28%), gastrointestinal symptoms (27%), diarrhea (25%), vision symptoms (21%), and nausea/vomiting (19%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that urinary symptoms (R2=0.65) and painful joints (R2=0.44) were positively associated with increasing age in benzene-exposed subjects.

Conclusion

Adult subjects exposed to benzene experience a range of adverse health symptoms and an altered profile of urinary phenol, thus indicating they are at high risk of developing serious future health complications. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:232–240)

Keywords

benzene poisoningchemical exposurehealth complaintsillness symptomspetroleum refineryurinary metabolites of benzene
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , April 2018 , pp. 232 - 240
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

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