Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Fuel dispensing stations (FDSs) are major urban contributor of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), but Nigeria’s exposure burden, health risks, governance gaps and mitigation routes are unexplored. In this study, environmental exposure, the health dangers involved, and policy responses were synthesised. The review explored BTEX exposure tends, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health problems, regulatory and governance limits, and evidence about FDS-linked emission mitigations. A systematic evidence synthesis and a narrative meta-review were adopted using peer-reviewed articles and risk assessments. Study categories included exposure characterisation, health risk assessment, governance evaluation, and mitigation mechanisms. Quality appraisal showed moderate-to-very-high evidence strength across 15 exposure studies and 14 risk assessment studies. Benzene is the most ubiquitous BTEX contaminant in occupational and household settings. All investigations found occupational exposure much higher than community exposure. The LCR (> 1×10 <sup>− 4</sup> ) and HQ (> 1) values in 73% and 61% of the trials, respectively, indicate the presence of carcinogenic and systemic toxicity concerns. Vapour recovery and monitoring infrastructure problems were reported in 80% of investigations and more than 70% of FDSs did not meet regulatory limits. Vapour recovery technologies lowered emissions by 70% and integrated governance and monitoring mechanisms improved compliance by 60%. The FDS-related exposure to BTEX is a complicated environmental health problem in Nigeria because of the intensity of emission and governance problems. Mandatory vapour recovery, land-use enforcement, BTEX monitoring and institutional governance require urgent attention. Prolonged exposure has a risk of leukaemia, respiratory problems and systemic toxicity, particularly for urban workers and vulnerable individuals. </p>