Petrol pump staff complain of impotency

Fuel station employees in the UAE are worried about the increasing cases of impotency seen among their colleagues. So much so majority of them have resorted to self-treatment.

Continued exposure to petroleum-based chemicals and aerosol gasoline can cause hormone imbalance, evectional dysfunction, impotency and lower sperm count, according to doctors.

Petrol is a complex mixture of more than 500 hydrocarbons and addictive chemicals such as benzene, paraffins, aromatics and olefins.

Unmarried young men told 'Emirates24|7' that they are consuming lots of dates, cashew nuts and pista apart from Ayurvedic medicines to ensure a healthy sexual life as most of their married colleagues are finding it tough having children.

"I am consulting a sexologist as my wedding is two months from now," said an Asian staff of one petrol station in the UAE. "The doctor advised me to eat a lot of fruits and dates and drink date syrup. Some of my colleagues have bought Ayurvedic prodcts to increase their libido."

"In fact, when you see staff here eating dates it's a sign they are planning to settle down in life," he added.

An employee at another fuel station said: "I'm worried if I can father children. Many of my colleagues are finding it difficult to start a family. I know a few friends who work in aviation fuel sector who send their wives back home for treatment."

Another Indian said: "I have been working as fuel attendant for several years in the UAE. Am married for four years but do not have a baby yet. I took leave a couple of times and visited home and took specialised treatment. The doctor has advised me to return home for good. My family and wife are upset."

However, not all face problems. A Filipino truck driver who  transports diesel and petrol to filling stations in Dubai begs to differ. “Many people say working in petrol stations cause impotency, but I have three children. I got married after I joined the company. I know some colleagues who spend a lot of money on treatment. And as their salaries are low, they treat themselves by trying out various products.""
 
However, there are studies conducted on self-serving fuel customers and fuel attendants that indicate regular exposure to petroleum products can affect reproductive system.

Fuel marketing companies will not, however, discuss the matter and said they are taking several measures to ensure health and safety of their employees.

A few other international research groups have also found impotency common among those exposed to petroleum vapours.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety said in its report that regular exposure to petroleum gases affects the nervous and reproductive systems.

“Gasoline vapours can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. And those exposed to  shorter duration (30 minutes to concentrations as high as 1054 parts per million or ppm, or for 8 hours to concentrations around  150-270 ppm) complained of eye and throat irritation.

“Mild  dizziness was experienced by volunteers exposed to 1 hour to 2600  ppm. While pronounced dizziness was experienced by volunteers after about 5 minute’s exposure to about 1100 ppm." the study said.
Other CNS effects include headache, lack of appetite and drowsiness.

"In one case, exposure for a few minutes to very high concentrations (above 5000 ppm) of aviation gasoline caused unconsciousness, pulmonary edema (a life-threatening accumulation  of fluid in the lungs) and death,” says the CCCHS Report.

A Russian study of women exposed to petro vapours above the  maximum permissible level showed that they suffered from  irregular menstrual cycle and lactation problems.

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