Health Risk Assesssment of Benzen, Toluene and Xylene at a Landfill
Health Risk Assesssment of Benzen, Toluene and Xylene at a Landfill
Dragana Nešković Markić, Ljiljana Stojanović Bjelić, Sađana Šiljak, Željko Jovičić,
Željka Cvijetić
Pan-European University “APEIRON”, Faculty of Health Sciences, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
dragana.d.neskovicmarkic@apeiron-edu.eu
ABSTRACT: The municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill is recognized as an anthropogenic source of air pollutants
that can have a negative impact on human health and the environment. Workers who work at the MSW landfill may
be exposed to risk due to the inhalation of substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although VOCs
account for <1% in landfill gas, they are important because of the high level of toxicity associated with them. Regular
monitoring of air quality and risk assessment provides important information in protecting the health of workers at
the landfill. This study focuses on a health risk assessment related to VOCs (benzene, toluene and xylene) exposure
via inhalation for workers at a landfill Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, cancer
risk and non-cancer risk of benzene, toluene and xylene of workers indicated that occupational exposures were above
recommended standard. This implies that landfill workers are exposed to a significant health risk associated with
inhalation exposure to VOCs
that can have a negative impact on human health and the environment. Workers who work at the MSW landfill may
be exposed to risk due to the inhalation of substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although VOCs
account for <1% in landfill gas, they are important because of the high level of toxicity associated with them. Regular
monitoring of air quality and risk assessment provides important information in protecting the health of workers at
the landfill. This study focuses on a health risk assessment related to VOCs (benzene, toluene and xylene) exposure
via inhalation for workers at a landfill Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, cancer
risk and non-cancer risk of benzene, toluene and xylene of workers indicated that occupational exposures were above
recommended standard. This implies that landfill workers are exposed to a significant health risk associated with
inhalation exposure to VOCs
Keywords: municipal solid waste, landfill, risk assessment, VOCs, human health
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