Pilot Study on Benzene Exposure Risks in Healthcare Workers: A Combined Socio-Demographic and Computational Toxicology Approach

Habib Ullah^1*Yuan Zhang²Waqar Un Nisa^3*Audil Rashid⁴Aansa Rukya Saleem⁵Luqman Riaz⁶Saima Kalsoom³Abubakr M Idris⁷Guo Yu²

• ¹Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• ²Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
• ³International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
• ⁴University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
• ⁵Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan
• ⁶Kohsar University Murree, Murree, Pakistan
• ⁷King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Healthcare professions are associated with ubiquitous health risks, including frequent exposure to harmful chemicals like benzene, especially in suboptimal hygiene environments. This pilot study aimed to assess benzene levels in blood samples collected from 51 healthcare workers—including laboratory technologists, paramedics, nurses, and housekeeping staff—across six major hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Using chromatographic analysis (HPLC) and socio-demographic data from questionnaires, we identified healthcare worker category, BMI, and job duration as significant predictors of benzene concentration. Mean benzene concentration was 0.79 ppm, with a strong positive correlation with prolonged work hours (r=0.65, p<0.01). Molecular docking studies supported the neurotoxic potential of benzene through interactions with the MAO-B enzyme. While preliminary, these results highlight occupational health risks for medical staff. We also reflect briefly on gender and socio-labor conditions, underscoring the responsibilities of hospitals and employers to ensure safe working environments and protective measures. These findings emphasize the urgent need for improved workplace safety protocols and systematic biomonitoring to mitigate long-term health hazards. Future larger-scale studies are warranted to confirm and expand upon these pilot observations.