Benzene exposures during gasoline loading at bulk marketing terminals.

A study was conducted at 20 gasoline bulk marketing terminals to determine benzene exposure levels to both Gulf and outside carrier personnel operating at these facilities. Emphasis was placed on breathing zone samples of short duration during loading of trucks at the rack. Racks utilizing various methods of product transfer were surveyed. From the results of the study, it can be seen that the largest employee exposure to benzene occurs at facilities utilizing top loading without vapor recovery. Exposures during loading can exceed 0.5 ppm for an eight-hour time-weighted average.