Question

How can TPH affect my health? Explain in detail.

Answer 1

Hint: As some compounds present in the crude oil like toluene, benzene, gasoline etc, are carcinogenic in nature, cause leukaemia and are highly toxic in nature. From the crude oil various petroleum products are derived which contaminate the environment.

Complete step by step solution:
Firstly, TPH is a total petroleum hydrocarbon, that is a mixture of chemical compounds mainly made up of hydrogen and carbon, which comes from crude oil. This crude oil and its petroleum products cause harm to the environment through contamination.
Some of the chemicals found in the TPH are hexane, benzene, toluene, naphthalene and other constituents of gasoline, jet fuels, mineral oils, and petroleum products. So, through the total amount of TPH, we can account for the compounds present in the crude oil or the petroleum products and also indicate the contamination caused.
We have TPH present around us, at the pump stations, the chemical products used in our households, industrial releases, via the food chain or the work area etc. So, in general we are exposed to it and it may also enter our bodies harming us.
Though the extent of harm caused depends on the duration of exposure, the amount and the type of chemical, and way of contact to it.
On high exposure it may be fatal by affecting the central nervous system. As some compounds like toluene may cause fatigue, dizziness, headache. The n-Hexane causes peripheral neuropathy, which in severe cases leads to paralysis along with numbness of feet. The swallowing of gasoline and kerosene may cause irritation in the throat, difficulty in breathing and pneumonia. Some other effects may also affect the immune system, the blood, the organs, reproduction, and the developing foetus.

Note: In order to study the effects of TPH, animal testing is done. Also, the various medical tests of the blood, urine breath and tissues can help measure the exposure to the compounds.