Effects of Petroleum Compounds on Psychological Health and Cognitive Functions

Overview

Over the last decade, awareness of the effects of hydrocarbon fuels on neurodegenerative disorders has increased significantly, as they are ubiquitous environmentally toxic chemicals that affect the central nervous system and result in irreversible neuronal damage, as many hydrocarbons can cross the blood-brain barrier through multiple pathways and cause direct toxicity.

Petrol stations are establishments that retail liquid fuels derived from petroleum, alcohol, and other automotive fuels, with equipment available for their measurement and storage. This process, linked to gasoline distribution, can be a significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX), the primary volatile hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, respiratory tract infections, skin allergies, eye infections, and impairment of memory have been experienced by a few people immediately following exposure to some solvents. CNS depression is a common physiological outcome caused by high exposure to some VOCs. General anaesthetic effects, and as a most severe outcome, unconsciousness and, in some cases, death, may occur at the end. Long-term exposure to organic solvents may cause permanent central nervous system disturbances, a condition called chronic solvent encephalopathy (CSE). Cognitive symptoms and neuropsychological signs, or issues with memory, focus, and learning, are the hallmarks of CSE, which is underdiagnosed and characterized by these symptoms as well as possible side effects like headaches, fatigue, balance issues, and mild depression. If exposure stops, though, the illness will not worsen. We are discovering more about the importance of nutrition and its impact on an individual's susceptibility to illness progression. Diet has been suggested to have an important role in cognitive health and the development of dementia. However, most of the intervention studies conducted to date have mainly assessed the effect of dietary supplements on cognitive function. The toxicity of inhaled vapours is due to their biotransformation into reactive oxygen species, and several studies have highlighted the capacity of whey protein to increase glutathione (GSH), suggesting that this complex mixture is capable of boosting GSH synthesis, thus reducing oxidative stress.

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