INTRODUCTION

Petroleum is a naturally occurring, yellow to black liquid found in geologic formations beneath the earth surface, which is commonly refined into various types of fuel. The most important use of Petrol is a fuel for auto vehicles. Sometimes is used as solvents. Petrol is a complex mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon derived from blending fractions of crude oil with brand specific additives. The actual composition of petrol will vary according to the source of crude oil, the manufacturing process etc. Benzene an important component of petrol, is a widely distributed environmental contaminant. Today about 98% of benzene is derived from the petrochemical and petroleum refining industries. Therefore occupational exposure to benzene in humans generally takes place in factories, refineries and other industrial settings. Moreover, the general population is exposed to Benzene contained in petrol, vehicle exhaust, diesel fuel and cigarette smoke. Benzene exposure of petrol station attendants can vary widely due to several factors such as quantity of fuel pumped, type and number of vehicles filled, protective measures and total content of benzene in petroleum. At low doses, Petrol vapors is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract and skin. Exposure to higher concentration of vapors may produce CNS effects such as staggered gait, slurred speech, and confusion. Very high concentrations may result in rapid unconsciousness and death due to respiratory failure. Prolonged dermal exposure to liquid petrol or inhalation of vapors has been associated with renal dysfunction, attributed to lipid degeneration

of the proximal convoluted tubules and glomeruli, the clinical manifestations of which include hematuria, proteinuria, and myoglobinuria. A late onset autoimmune glomerulonephritis has also been described. Pulmonary sequelae following inhalation of petrol vapors or secondary to pulmonary elimination of volatile hydrocarbons (following ingestion or dermal absorption) include persistent atelectasis and petechial hemorrhage. This may be associated with concomitant hydrocarbon hepatitis secondary to vascular endothelial damage, possibly due to hydrocarbon induced degeneration of fatty tissues. The critical health effects of Petrol is chemical Pneumonitis, arising from aspiration of liquid petrol or inhalation of petrol contaminant vomitus. Ingestion of petrol may cause acute, generalized signs of gastrointestinal tract irritation, including nausea, vomiting, colic and diarrhea. The relatively low oral toxicity of petrol is comparable to that of other petrochemical products such as kerosene (2-17g /kg) and ingestion of 7.5g/kg has been reported to be the lethal dose in adult humans in absence of pulmonary effects caused by aspiration of ingested petrol or vomitus. Effects of benzene on gingiva is usually associated with destruction of the underlying tissues. Benzene intoxication is accompanied by gingival bleeding and ulceration with destruction of the underlying bone. In yester years, leaded petrol was in use. Due to the health hazards posed by lead exposure, since the year 2000 petrol has been supplied in the unleaded form.

The effects of lead include salivation, coated tongue, a peculiar sweetish taste, gingival pigmentation and ulceration. Gingival pigmentation is linear (burtonian line), steel gray, and associated with local inflammation. Oral signs may occur without toxic symptoms. Many number of studies have been conducted on the systemic effects of petrol. But only limited studies have been made on the effects of petrol products on the oral tissues. Hence we are conducting a short survey on the health of the oral tissues on exposure to petroleum.