Chapter 3

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study are presented

in this chapter. This research aimed to determine the hazards of the commonly-used benzene

products among selected first year Medical Technology students of Cebu Doctors University.

Summary of Findings

To summarize the findings of the study, the researchers first conducted a survey to

determine the top ten most used benzene products among first year medical technology

students, followed by the analysis of the said products’ Material Safety Data Sheets and the

identification of their organic and inorganic components as well as the possible hazards of

product usage.

The study identified plastic as the most commonly-used benzene product among the

respondents. According to its respective data sheet, plastic is made up of organic compounds

which include the active component polyethylene; and its inactive components include silica

and may also include color additive. There are no known effects or toxicity of the said active

component, however, swallowing of plastic may cause choking, and nausea and vomiting when

swallowed in large amounts. The minor components, however, were found to induce irritation

to nose and throat when inhaled, and fire/explosion hazard is also indicated in its data sheet.

The second commonly-used product is identified as ink markers. Its components include

organic compounds which include the active ingredients xylene, ethanol, and resin; and the

minor components propanol, ethyl lactate, and benzyl alcohol; all of which posing a hazard of
skin irritation as well as eye irritations upon direct contact. Ingestion of ethanol and the said

minor components may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The third commonly-used product is ink markers Commented [JW1]: Missing

The fourth commonly-used product is ink toners, also known as printer ink. Its active

components comprise of organic compounds which are bound to cause topical irritations,

including skin, eye, respiratory, and gastric irritations. The minor components mainly include

inorganic compounds, which may also cause skin and respiratory irritations.

The fifth commonly-used product is pharmaceutical drugs. While its minor components

were found to pose no potential hazards, the active components of pharmaceutical drugs,

although mostly organic, were found to be harmful when swallowed and may cause potential Commented [JW2]: I’m confused, why harmful? Aren’t
pharmaceutical drugs meant to be swallowed lol

risk of impaired fertility. Its active ingredients may also cause irritation to the eyes and skin.

The sixth commonly-used product is detergents, consisting primarily of organic

compounds. Its only inorganic active compound, alcohol alkoxylate, is found to be harmful

when ingested, and may cause digestive irritation. Prolonged contact with the eyes may cause

serious damage. Its minor components although classified as non-hazardous, may cause minor

irritation upon contact.

The seventh commonly-used product is gasoline. Gasoline comprises of organic

compounds, which include several active ingredients, specifically n-hexane, which was listed as

it may cause peripheral neuropathy upon prolonged exposure. Its minor components were

found to be flammable along with its fatality upon direct contact with the skin. Its minor

components also commonly cause hematologic damage, including anaemia.

 The eighth commonly-used product is found to be paint. Paint consists of a mixture of

organic and inorganic ingredients. The active components of paint were commonly listed as

carcinogens as per its respective Material Safety Data Sheet. The minor components of paint

may cause irritation to the skin as they were found to be toxic to aquatic life.

The ninth commonly-used product is rubbers. Rubber consists of organic compounds. Its

active ingredient, 2-methyl, 1, 3-butadiene is listed as a carcinogen as well as an irritant to the

skin and eyes. Its minor components are listed as flammable and may also cause irritation.

The least commonly-used product is found as adhesives and coatings. The components

of the said products are found to be mostly organic and a few inorganic compounds in its active

ingredients. The active ingredients of adhesives commonly cause severe skin burns and eye

damage. They also cause allergic skin and respiratory irritation, and may cause damage to

fertility.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of the study, the researchers therefore conclude that:

1. The respondents most commonly-used benzene product is plastics. This is followed by

ink markers, soft drinks, printer ink, pharmaceutical drugs, detergents, gasoline and

fuels, paint, rubbers, and lastly, adhesive coatings.

2. The components of the benzene products mostly include organic compounds. A few

inorganic compounds are included in the products active components and in its minor

components.
 3. The potential health hazards of benzene products in terms of both their active

ingredients and minor components was listed as irritation of the skin and eyes upon

direct contact. Most of the active ingredients were also listed as carcinogens aside from

being irritants and causes of several respiratory irritations which arise from ingestion

hazard of the said components. The minor components only cause irritation to the skin

and eyes of the user.

Recommendations

Based on the findings, the researchers would like to recommend that:

1. Future researchers take this into account to optimize the study, that students and other

beneficiaries of this study would help raise awareness about the advantages and

disadvantages of benzene in commercial products.

In the interest of future studies, the researchers would like to recommend the following:

1. Future researchers should focus on products that are commonly used by students rather

than products which are commonly used by the general consumers Student necessities

containing benzene would increase the hazard exposure on students, which are the

respondents of this study.

2. It is recommended for future researches to consider other benzene products apart from

what were indicated in the study to maximize the extent in determining the potential

hazards present in other benzene products.

3. Due to time constraints, researchers were only able to accommodate one hundred 1 st

year students under the College of Allied Medical Sciences who are enrolled in the
Medical Technology program. In order to fully grasp the full extent of our research, it is

recommended that future researches shall increase the number of respondents and not

bound into one category of respondents.