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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Assessment and management of acute poisoning by petroleum products.

Petroleum products are highly complex chemical mixtures consisting predominantly of hydrocarbons. Their composition varies with source and intended use of the product. Virtually all are blended products that come into contact with man in a wide range of circumstances. Their toxicity for man is generally low and the use of additives rarely affects the toxicity of the final product. Because products are blended to meet performance, and not chemical specifications, their composition varies significantly. Management of toxicity benefits from simplified guidelines that consider the product by its type. Management in most cases is symptomatic, but the doctor needs to be aware of the potential for development of sequelae such as aspiration pneumonia and central nervous system (CNS) depression. Local and systemic effects of exposure to hydrocarbons are reviewed, as are immediate assessment and recommended management of acute exposure to petroleum products. Because of the large scope of this subject, this paper limits itself to acute toxicity of petroleum products encountered inthe public domain. It does not address topics such as chronic toxicity, solvent abuse, petrochemicals, or pesticides.

Animals↗

32P-postlabeling of DNA adducts arising from complex mixtures: HPLC versus TLC separation applied to adducts from petroleum products.

The carcinogenicity of petroleum products is mainly due to their content of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). These compounds may be activated metabolically and react with DNA to form DNA adducts, which is a critical event in the initiation of cancer. One of the most common techniques for analyzing DNA adducts is (32)P-postlabeling. The chromatographic method often used has been (32)P-TLC (thin-layer chromatography), but the more recently developed (32)P-HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) method has shown advantages. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the (32)P-HPLC method has a better ability of detecting DNA adducts derived from petroleum products than (32)P-TLC. It was found that some DNA adducts migrated from the application point in (32)P-TLC in such a way that it is doubtful if they could be detected and quantified properly. It was also found that, when using (32)P-HPLC, it is possible to use the same protocol for substances with a wide variety of DNA adduct forming potential, whereas (32)P-TLC needs to be optimized regarding time of exposure and/or the amount of DNA applied. Further, a pattern of recognition in (32)P-HPLC enables a selective assessment of DNA adducts derived from complex mixtures whereas (32)P-TLC is very limited when analyzing complex mixtures due to poor resolution. With more knowledge about the properties of the most mutagenic DNA adducts in HPLC, it could be possible to know also which pattern corresponds to a mutagenic or carcinogenic oil. Consequently, (32)P-HPLC is a good alternative when assessing the genotoxicity of petroleum products.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Effect of shale kerogen oxidation products on biodegradation of petroleum and petroleum products in soil and water].

Effect of oxidation products of shale kerogen (high-molecular-weight acids with 6-22 carbon atoms) on biodegradation of oil and oil products in soil and water was studied. High-molecular-weight acids (HMWA) not only affected the layer of oil and/or oil products and dispersed it into small particles, but also stimulated growth of Rhodococcus erythropolis VKM AS-1339D, degraders of oil and oil products. Addition of 0.001-0.003% HMWA to a medium to be purified from oil products increased the extent of bacterial biodegradation by a factor of 1.1-5.0.

Acids↗

Alternative designs for petroleum product storage tanks for groundwater protection.

In developing countries, there are numerous occurrences of petroleum product spillage in groundwater. The current practice of burying storage tanks beneath the surface without adequate safety devices facilitates this phenomenon. Underground tanks rust and leak, and spilled petroleum products migrate downward. The movement of the oil in the soil depends on its viscosity and quantity, the permeability of the soil/rock, and the presence of fractures within the rock. The oil spreads laterally in the form of a thin pancake due to its lower specific gravity, and soluble components dissolve in water. The pollution plume of petroleum products and dissolved phases moves in the direction of groundwater flow in the aquifer within the pores of soil and sediments or along fractures in basement complex areas. Most communities reply heavily on groundwater for potable and industrial supplies. However, the sustainability of this resource is under threat in areas where there are filling stations as a result of significant groundwater contamination from petroleum product spillage. Drinking water becomes unpalatable when it contains petroleum products in low concentrations, and small quantities may contaminate large volumes of water. Considering the losses incurred from spillage, the cost of cleaning the aquifer, and the fact that total cleansing and attenuation is impossible, the need to prevent spillage and if it happens to prevent it from getting into the groundwater system is of paramount importance. This paper proposes alternative design procedures with a view to achieving these objectives.

Humans↗

Abiotic behavior of entrapped petroleum products in the subsurface during leaching.

Petroleum products are generally volatile hydrocarbon mixtures. These mixtures may contaminate land surfaces, the unsaturated zone and ground waters at numerous sites and thus represent a long-term source of environmental subsurface pollution. Based on laboratory and field evidence obtained by our research groups and others we emphasize in the present review paper the effect of leaching on the abiotic processes controlling the fate of volatile petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures (VPHMs) in the soil environment. The modification of petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures due to changes in the soil water content is considered the result of a "leaching phenomenon". The experimental evidence of VPHM behavior in the porous media is linked to four major processes: retention, redistribution and attenuation in the subsurface, and dissolution in the soil water. Once VPHMs reach the soil surface, their residual concentration and composition is influenced by the amount and quality of the leaching water. The transport and natural attenuation of the VPHMs in the unsaturated zone is affected by the amount and rate of leaching. Since VPHM are a mixture of volatile and non-volatile hydrocarbons whose components differ by several orders of magnitude in their vapor pressure and water solubility, their fates in the soil environment under leaching will be diverse too. This will influence the temporal concentrations of the VPHM components and their distributions with depth, as vapors, solutes, or water-immiscible solutions. Wetting the soil before or after the VPHMs reach it, differentially affects the abiotic processes governing petroleum products behavior into the porous media.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in soils within the vicinity of facilities handling refined petroleum products in Lagos metropolis.

This article discusses the determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and heavy-metal contamination in soils within areas of refined petroleum products handling in Lagos metropolis. Soil samples were collected randomly from two petrol stations, two auto-mechanic workshops, and a National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) station. Control samples were taken from two low-density residential areas. TPH were estimated gravimetrically following standard methods of TPH analysis, while the heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sites studied had higher levels of TPH and heavy metals compared to the control samples. For TPH, the petrol stations have mean values of 399.83+/-106.19 and 450.83 +/- 90.58 microg/g, respectively; mechanic workshops, 362.60 +/- 185.84 and 428.55 +/- 119.00 microg/g, respectively; while the NEPA station has 356.20 +/- 210.30 microg/g compared to the control mean of 26.63 +/- 4.58. It revealed that the improper handling of refined petroleum products are potential sources of soil contamination in the sampled sites. This is indicated by the statistically significant levels of TPH and heavy metals observed between the control samples and those collected from the petroleum products handling sites. Bioremediation using microorganisms and plants is recommended.

Chemical Industry↗

Composition and toxicity of petroleum products and their additives.

1. All petroleum based products are highly complex chemical mixtures. Although almost exclusively composed of hydrocarbons, the composition varies with the crude oil source. 2. Their toxicity for man is generally low but there are exceptions. Although irritancy and sensitization to specific ingredients may be demonstrated in animals, animal experiments are not a reliable indicator of sensitization potential in man. 3. Both product complexity and commercial considerations can make acceptable and meaningful compositional disclosures difficult. A nomenclature system exists which solves these problems. 4. Frame formulations would have some value to poisons centres dealing with petroleum product enquiries. 5. As legislation for the European Union is developed, the balance must be reached between disclosure of the (often confidential) precise chemical composition of products and a practical and useful composition for the guidance of users and medical personnel. This is a key issue with some petroleum products, mainly due to the additives used in them. 6. For several reasons, such as climatic conditions or logistics of supply, the various components, including additives, used in a branded product may vary because the final product composition is determined not by chemistry but by performance in service. 7. Lubricants may contain between 10 and 20% of additives; fuels contain additives only at parts per million levels. However, for both fuels and lubricants, toxicity from additives is rarely a matter of concern.

Animals↗

Biodegradation of petroleum products by microorganisms adapted to high crude oil concentration in presence of easy assimilated carbon source.

The studies focused on the effect of the addition of low concentrations of glucose - a substrate that is readily subject to microbiological degradation, on the rate of biodegradation of petroleum products. Glucose in concentration 1% was introduced into mineral medium containing 3% crude oil, with or without bacterial inoculum. The rate of degradation of crude oil in the individual cultures was determined for 3 weeks. The degradation of petroleum products in liquid mineral medium reached 56% after 21 days of growth in the presence of 1% concentration of glucose. The introduction of bacteria that had been cultured earlier in the presence of petroleum products had an effect on hydrocarbon removal efficiency - in both the presence and absence of glucose, the percent reduction of crude oil was high, reaching 76 and 86, respectively, after 21 days.

Bacteria↗

An attempt to use selected strains of bacteria adapted to high concentrations of petroleum oil to increase the effective removal of petroleum products in excess activated sludge in laboratory conditions.

Forty two strains of bacteria were isolated from excess activated sludge from petroleum wastewater treatment plant. The strains were identified and classified to the following groups: Enterobacteriaceae (7 strains), Anitratum (3 strains), Pseudomonas (13 strains), Micrococcus (12 strains), Comamonas (2 strains), Xanthomonas (2 strains), Achromobacter (1 strain) and Vibrio-Aeromonas (1 strain). One of the isolates was found to be a yeast strain. Following preliminary selection ten strains, showing the best growth in medium with oil fraction as sole carbon source, were chosen for further studies. The selected strains belong to Pseudomonas (6 strains), Xanthomonas (2 strains), Micrococcus (1 strain) and Saccharomyces (1 strain). The strains were adapted to high oil concentration (500-2000 mg/L) and an attempt to use them to intensify removal of petroleum products from excess activated sludge was made. The sludge was inoculated with a mixture of the isolated strains. The experiment was carried out three times, each time with a fresh sample of the excess sludge. The obtained results show that the inoculation of activated sludge with the strains active against oil reduced the petroleum products content by 20% in 14 days. The greatest reduction of oil was observed in sludge with the lowest dry weight, that is with the greatest degree of hydration. The dry weight of the excess sludge did not significantly decrease during the course of the experiment, after having been inoculated with the mixture of strains.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Application of the luciferase cell culture bioassay for the detection of refined petroleum products.

A luciferase cell culture-based bioassay, developed to detect 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-like activity of halo-genated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was optimized to detect refined petroleum products and to determine their relative inducing potency. Quality control standards from 32 refined products (gasolines and diesels, jet fuels, lubricating oils, fuel oils and weathered products) and three commercial products were evaluated. Induction equivalents (I-EQs) were determined by direct comparison of the EC50 and EC20 values (based on the median and 20% TCDD maximal response, respectively) from dose-response curves for each product to those obtained with TCDD. Most petroleum products were active in the luciferase bioassay, with those products composed of fractions produced later in the distillation process (i.e. fuel oils) inducing higher levels. Additionally, weathering of products reduced their induction potency. Based on the high I-EQ estimates of many products, biological effects associated with exposure may have been previously underestimated using other diagnostic methods.

Animals↗

Thermal neutron reflection method for measurement of total hydrogen contents in Ghanaian petroleum products.

A fast and non-destructive technique based on thermal neutron reflection was used to determine total hydrogen contents in petroleum products available in Ghana. A source holder consisting of an 241Am-Be neutron source and 3He neutron probe designed for detection of liquid levels was used to measure reflection parameter as a function of hydrogen contents in liquid hydrocarbons which served as standards. The measured data were fitted to two linear equations for two different geometrical arrangements. The trend of data was found to be consistent with theoretical analysis based on neutron moderation. The calibration lines were used to determine hydrogen contents in 10 petroleum products. The results agree favourably with those obtained using different experimental set-ups with other neutron sources and probes. The technique was also used to determine the quality of diluted petrol with aviation fuel.

Journal Article↗

Application of laser-based ion mobility (IM) spectrometry for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) and petroleum products in soils.

The capability of laser-based IM spectrometry to detect PAC and petroleum products (oils) in model matrices, laboratory reference (LR) materials and in real-world contaminated soil samples was demonstrated. Quantitative IM investigations of PAC-doped PVC films yielded detection limits in the ppm range for single PAC. The potential of IM spectrometry for in situ analysis was demonstrated by the analysis of PAC-containing certified reference (CR) material, and of petroleum product-containing LR materials and real-world soil samples. The calibration of IM signals obtained from oil-doped LR materials was also possible, and detection of oils with concentrations below 100 mg kg(-1) was achieved. The in situ analysis of real-world contaminated soils with the IM and LIF techniques was in good accordance with ex situ reference investigations.

Lasers↗

[Effect of photosynthetic bacteria and compost on degradation of petroleum products in soil].

Addition of diesel fuel and waste engine oil to soil was found to cause biostimulation of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms. Corynebacteria constitute a large group of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms. Addition of a liquid culture of photosynthetic bacteria to soil not only facilitates degradation of petroleum products, but also stimulates growth of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms. Combined addition of photosynthetic bacteria and compost to soil polluted with petroleum products causes even a more significant increase in the count of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria and substantially increases the rate of pollutant degradation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Forensic analysis of commercial petroleum products using selective fluorescence quenching.

A novel method for the forensic analysis of commercial petroleum products is presented. In this approach, the petroleum sample is extracted with nitromethane and then separated by capillary liquid chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The addition of selective fluorescence quenching agents allows the sample to be profiled by the distribution of alternant and nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In preliminary studies, the quenching behavior of nitromethane and diisopropylamine was established by using a standard mixture of sixteen PAHs ranging in size from two to six aromatic rings. Subsequent examination of new and used motor oil demonstrated that characteristic differences arise in the PAH content, which may allow for the unique identification of oil from a particular engine or vehicle. In addition, three brands of petrolatum jelly were successfully distinguished. Although a number of alternant alkylated and heterocyclic PAHs were found in all petrolatum samples, there were significant differences in the relative concentrations of alternant as well as nonalternant PAHs. This allowed for clear differentiation of the samples through qualitative inspection of their chromatograms as well as quantitative statistical correlation techniques.

Journal Article↗

Studies on the effect of inoculation of activated sludge with bacteria actively degrading hydrocarbons on the biodegradation of petroleum products.

Eighteen strains of bacteria were isolated from activated sludge purifying petroleum-refining wastewaters. These strains were plated on solidified mineral medium supplemented with oil fraction in concentration 1000 mg/l. Four of the strains that grew best in the presence of oil were selected for further studies. The strains were identified based on Bonde's scheme and microscopic observations. Three of them belonged to the genus Arthrobacter and one to the genus Micrococcus. Stationary cultures of single strains and their mixtures were set up in mineral medium containing oil (sterile and non-sterile) as sole carbon source in concentration 1000 mg/l. The oils were found to be removed the most efficiently by a mixture of the strains. After 14 days of culture the amount of oil was utilized by from 63 to 95%. In the next stage of the studies the bacteria were used to inoculate activated sludge. Stationary cultures of the activated sludge were set up in mineral medium with oil. The utilisation of petroleum products by non-inoculated activated sludge (control), activated sludge inoculated with a single strain or a mixture of all four strains was examined. In both inoculated activated sludge cultures approximately 80% of the oils were removed, compared to 60% in the control activated sludge. Therefore, inoculated activated sludge showed 20% higher effectiveness of removal of petroleum derivatives.

Arthrobacter↗

[Health conditions of workers chronically exposed to ethyl gasoline and other petroleum products].

Results of 5-year periodic examinations and SDH, LAP and GGTP activity in blood serum of 207 workers chronically exposed to ethyl gasoline and other petroleum products were analysed. In addition, in the selected groups, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins, complement C3 fraction and alpha2 macroglobulins were determined. Results of objective and enzymatic examinations indicate a slight toxic liver lesion. No significant changes in albuminous fractions were found, except a significant reduction in alpha2 macroglobulins.

Female↗

[Distribution of sulfur-containing compounds in the gasoline range petroleum products].

A capillary gas chromatography coupled with sulfur chemiluminescence detection (GC-SCD) method has been developed for detailed analysis and group-type characterization of sulfur compounds in gasoline range petroleum products. Chemical treatment of the samples was carried out using selective reactions for group-type classification of compounds. A total of 107 sulfur compounds were tentatively classified and identified based on standard substances and retention rule. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention times were no more than 0.25%. The quantitative analysis on major sulfur compounds and total sulfur was carried out based on the linear response of sulfur chemiluminescence detector and the internal standard method. The recoveries were in the range of 96% - 115%. For the sulfur-containing compounds whose concentration exceeded 7 mg/kg, the RSDs of the determination were less than 8.9%. Various types of gasoline were analyzed and their sulfur distributions were investigated using the developed method. The results show that the method can be used to separate, identify and quantitate sulfur-containing compounds.

Chromatography, Gas↗