Gasoline vapor exposures at a high volume service station

Abstract

Gasoline vapor concentrations were measured at a high volume service station for one week in May, 1983, for service station attendants, self-service customers and for various area locations. To facilitate the retention of highly volatile, low-molecular weight gasoline vapor components, 100/50 mg charcoal adsorption tubes were used with flow rates of 100 cc/min for long-term exposure samples and 900 cc/min for short-term exposures. Methylene chloride was selected as the desorption solvent. Desorbed hydrocarbons were analyzed and quantitated by capillary column gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector and a 0-100 degrees C temperature program. The data proved that the predominant ambient air hydrocarbons are those of C4 and C5 compounds. Monitoring results showed that the total gasoline vapor TWA exposures for service station attendants ranged from 0.6 to 4.8 ppm with a geometric mean of 1.5 ppm. Short-term personal samples collected while refueling ranged from not detectable to 38.8 ppm with a geometric mean of 5.8 ppm.