Iran Occupational Health

  Background and aims : Toluene effects on the nervous system and causes numbness, lack of control in voluntary muscles and seizures. Ethyl benzene can also cause irritation of the eyes and throat and at higher concentrations it can damage the nervous system. Exposure with toluene and ethyl benzene may occur in different environments such as vehicle cabindue to possible emissions of vehicle interior decoration. The aim of this study was to estimate the concentrations of toluene and ethyl benzene with the internal source in the cabin of Logan (L90) cars.

  Methods: In this study, 44 vehicles were sampled. Samples were collected using personal sampling pumps and sorbent activated carbon . The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with mass detecto r . A check list was used to collect the other required information .

  Results: The mean concentrations of toluene and ethyl benzene in vehicles were respectively 42.2 and 17.44 µg/m³.

  Conclusion : Toluene and ethyl benzene concentrations were significantly higher in the new cars . T he natural ventilation significantly reduced the concentrations of toluene and e thyl benzene inside the cars. , However, fuel type and smoking inside the car did not significantly contribute to the concentrations of these two compounds.