Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials

Talha Kemal Koçak

doi:10.35208/ert.1605266

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials

Abstract

The global economy relies heavily on crude oil as a primary source of energy and a key component in the production of many everyday products. However, the production of crude oil can release BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to air pollution and negatively affecting the health of oil workers. To improve the understanding of BTEX pollution in the vicinity of a crude oil production plant, this study examines the concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potential of BTEX in a crude oil production plant located in Diyarbakır, Türkiye. The research employed passive samplers and chromatographic analysis to collect and analyze BTEX samples, revealing concentrations that ranged from 3.46 to 30.06 μg/m3. Statistical analysis revealed higher concentrations of BTEX within the plant perimeter in comparison to the surrounding area, indicating the plant as a primary source of these compounds in the region. Among BTEX, toluene was identified as the dominant compound, as observed in some studies conducted in areas with heavy traffic and industrial activity. The health risk assessment indicates that the inhalation of BTEX poses negligible cancer and non-cancer risks for oil workers. Additionally, the ozone formation potential of BTEX in the Diyarbakır Plant is found to be 56.8 μg/m3, which is generally lower than the values reported in the relevant literature. Overall, the findings suggest that monitoring and reducing emissions from crude oil production is vital for the protection of air quality and the occupational health of workers.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Turkish Petroleum Corporation

Ethical Statement

Not applicable.

Thanks

We thank the Turkish Petroleum Corporation for financial support and access to its facilities for this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Environmental Health, Air Pollution Processes and Air Quality Measurement

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Talha Kemal Koçak ^*
0000-0002-2764-0994
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

November 18, 2025

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

December 21, 2024

Acceptance Date

January 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1605266

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA78KG76JJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Koçak, T. K. (2025). Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials. Environmental Research and Technology, 8(4), 996-1006. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1605266

AMA

1.Koçak TK. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials. ERT. 2025;8(4):996-1006. doi:10.35208/ert.1605266

Chicago

Koçak, Talha Kemal. 2025. “Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes Surrounding a Crude Oil Production Plant: Concentrations, Health Risks, and Ozone Formation Potentials”. Environmental Research and Technology 8 (4): 996-1006. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1605266.

EndNote

Koçak TK (December 1, 2025) Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials. Environmental Research and Technology 8 4 996–1006.

IEEE

[1]T. K. Koçak, “Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials”, ERT, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 996–1006, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.35208/ert.1605266.

ISNAD

Koçak, Talha Kemal. “Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes Surrounding a Crude Oil Production Plant: Concentrations, Health Risks, and Ozone Formation Potentials”. Environmental Research and Technology 8/4 (December 1, 2025): 996-1006. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1605266.

JAMA

1.Koçak TK. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials. ERT. 2025;8:996–1006.

MLA

Koçak, Talha Kemal. “Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes Surrounding a Crude Oil Production Plant: Concentrations, Health Risks, and Ozone Formation Potentials”. Environmental Research and Technology, vol. 8, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 996-1006, doi:10.35208/ert.1605266.

Vancouver

1.Talha Kemal Koçak. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes surrounding a crude oil production plant: Concentrations, health risks, and ozone formation potentials. ERT. 2025 Dec. 1;8(4):996-1006. doi:10.35208/ert.1605266