Rooibos tea could be the key to a long and healthy life for South Africa’s 140,000-plus petrol station employees.
A new study by the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) is underway to investigate whether the indigenous plant could mitigate the harmful effects of petrochemical exposure among petrol attendants.
These workers spend many hours around petrol pumps consequently inhaling hazardous petrochemical fumes, in particular benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), which have been linked to severe respiratory issues, DNA damage, and long-term health complications.
The study aims to assess petrol attendants’ exposure to BTEX chemicals in a busy city like Johannesburg, while exploring a cost-effective way to minimise their harmful effects through Rooibos, writes the Rooibos Council.
Dr Kerry Wilson of the NIOH explains that the study was motivated by findings from international researchers, which highlighted the positive impact of antioxidants in tea in combating oxidative stress caused by BTEX exposure.
“Given Rooibos’ caffeine-free nature and its known ability to reduce oxidative stress, it emerged as a promising focus for further research,” said Wilson.
Rooibos contains plenty of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including:
- Tannins – Provides mild antimicrobial properties
- Nothofagin – Protects against free radical damage
- Chrysoeriol – A bronchodilator beneficial for lung health
- Aspalathin – An antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress
- Phenolic acids – Supports neuroprotection and detoxification
- Quercetin and luteolin – Anti-inflammatory flavonoids that support immune function
The NIOH hypothesises that these compounds could counteract the negative impact of prolonged exposure to petrochemical pollutants.
Immediate symptoms of exposure comprise headaches, dizziness, and airway irritation, while prolonged contact may lead to more serious conditions such as blood poisoning, DNA damage, and changes in liver and kidney function.
“While South Africa has occupational health and safety regulations, enforcement and compliance remain inconsistent. Unlike some developed countries where self-service refuelling limits a worker’s exposure, South African petrol attendants face daily direct contact with fuel fumes,” said Wilson.
“Petrol stations are owned by individual owners, but certain standards also need to be met by petrol suppliers. Exposures differ globally, with environmental conditions also playing a role in exposure levels.”
A cup of Rooibos a day keeps the doctor away
The NIOH’s study is evaluating biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage in petrol attendants.
Through measuring these biomarkers and using comet assays – a method for measuring DNA strand breaks – researchers aim to find out if drinking Rooibos tea improves antioxidant status and mitigates harm caused by petrochemical exposure.
Participants were fielded from handpicked petrol stations in 2023 and baseline health indicators were recorded late in the year. Follow-up tests were done in 2024, with the final evaluations scheduled for March 2025.
Throughout the study, half the participants dank 250ml cups of Rooibos a day for six months. The control group didn’t get any tea, but had access to illustrated occupational health guidelines for reducing exposure.
While the final results are yet to be fully tallied up, Wilson says that Rooibos tea may become a valuable tool in the country’s occupational health toolbox.
However, more comprehensive studies are still required to detemine the long-term benefits of the drink and the optimal dosage required.
“Although Rooibos cannot replace exposure control measures, it offers a promising avenue for enhancing worker health,” she said.
“While we have yet to finalise our findings, the potential benefits of Rooibos merit further exploration.”
The results of the NIOH study will be published later in 2025.
Loading ...
