Comparative analysis of air quality on petrol filling stations and related health impacts on their workers

Air pollution has become a public concern in large metropolitan cities. Rapid urbanization has increased the number of vehicles which ultimately increase number of petrol filling stations. Petrol filling process releases many emissions, which severely affects the worker's health. For this purpose, the present study is based upon the comparison of seasonal variations of different air pollutant levels at petrol filling stations and assessing health problems among their workers. The air quality parameters including VOCs, CO_x, NO_x, SO_x, PM, temperature, and humidity are analyzed by the help of the HAZ-scanner. Workers at petrol stations were interviewed regarding their health issues due to air quality. Comparison of air quality parameters and their seasonal fluctuations at different petrol filling stations was done by using ANOVA (analysis of variance). Results indicate that TVOCs, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ were found in higher concentrations in summer season as compared to that in winter season, while CO_x, NO, and PM were found in higher concentrations in winter season as compared to that in summer season. Sound levels were almost same during both seasons. The related health problems were sleeping disorder, hearing problem, cardiovascular issue, headache, and various other respiratory problems.