Evaluation of occupational exposure to benzene, human health risk, and associated factors among gasoline station workers in South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia

Even though benzene exposure is an internationally established occupational and public health issue, there is limited empirical evidence on the scope, health risks, and predictors among gasoline station workers in Ethiopia, particularly in South Wollo Zone. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate benzene exposure, health risks, and associated factors among gasoline station workers in the South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, addressing a critical evidence gap. A cross-sectional exposure assessment was conducted among 61 gas fueling workers and 61 administrative staff as controls. Participants were selected by simple random sampling. Breathing zone benzene concentrations were measured with RAD130S personal passive sampler. Occupation-related data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and observations. The data were checked for completeness, recorded, and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for cleaning and analysis. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a p < 0.05 were considered significantly associated with non-cancer risk levels. The overall airborne benzene concentration inworkers’ breathing zones ranged from 0.032 to 4.160 mg/m³ with a mean of 0.608 mg/m³. Gas fueling workers had higher levels, ranging from 0.064 to 4.160 mg/m³, and administrative staff ranged from 0.032 to 2.560 mg/m³ (0.01–0.80 ppm) with a mean of 0.377 mg/m³. On the other hand, excess lifetime cancer risk among gas fueling workers ranged from 5.17 × 10 − 6 to 3.02 × 10 − 4 , whereas among admin staff, it ranged from 2.58 × 10 − 6 to 2.07 × 10 − 4 . Being a gas-fueling worker (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.48–10.37), not using personal protective equipment (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.08–6.78), and not receiving job training (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.05–6.78) were statistically significant with unacceptable non-cancer risk. More than three-quarters of gas station workers are exposed to benzene levels above occupational limits, posing cancer and non-cancer risks. Gas-fueling workers have a 50% higher lifetime cancer risk compared to admin staff. Providing PPE, improving ventilation systems, and enhancing safety training by employers, proper utilization of PPE, and adopting positive behavior among workers can significantly reduce gasoline exposure and minimize associated health risks.