Recent Advances in Biomonitoring of Gas Station Workers: A Systematic Review

Lima, Simone; Santiago, Fabio; Silvestre, Rafaele Tavares; Elexias, Stephanie Rocha Vieira; Ornellas, Maria Helena; Carvalho, Marilza De Moura Ribeiro

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3439

Recent Advances in Biomonitoring of Gas Station Workers: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors

Simone Lima ¹
Fabio Santiago ¹^{, 2}
Rafaele Tavares Silvestre ¹^{, 3}
Stephanie Rocha Vieira Elexias ¹
Maria Helena Ornellas ¹^{, 4}
Marilza de Moura Ribeiro Carvalho ¹^{, 4}

¹ Graduation Program of Medical Sciences (PGCM), Medical Sciences Faculty (FCM), State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Brazil.

² Department of Pathology Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

³ Laboratory of Circulating Biomarkers, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

⁴ Laboratory of Circulating Biomarkers, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), State, Brazil.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.10.3439

Abstract

Background: In Brazil, gas stations are not self-service; attendants fill fuel tanks, leading to chronic exposure to BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes), which can cause bone marrow degeneration and immunosuppression. This systematic review highlights recent advances in biomonitoring gas station workers (GSW). Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases for articles in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish from 2014 to April 30, 2024, using multiple search terms. Results: A total of 1,086 articles were identified, 322 were analyzed, and 13 were included in the final review. We highlighted recent technologies in GSW biomonitoring, such as immunophenotyping, molecular cytogenetics (FISH), and measuring miRNAs and inflammatory markers via ELISA. We also explored the link between benzene exposure and immunosuppression and suggested a potential association with chronic inflammation. Conclusion: GSWs face significant health risks and require continuous clinical monitoring, even in the absence of overt disease. Effect biomarkers may indicate early biological responses to benzene toxicity and highlight potential health risks. However, there is no universally accepted gold standard for assessing these biomarkers.

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