[Benzene exposure among urban traffic wardens in the City of Rome: preliminary results of a pilot project].
In the framework of a research project on short-term effects of human exposure to atmospheric pollutants, a survey on personal exposure to benzene and related aromatic hydrocarbons in traffic wardens has been carried out. Approximately two-hundred subjects, namely 143 policemen involved in traffic control and 63 office clerks, have been enrolled in the study. Spot measurement of personal exposure to volatile aromatic hydrocarbons have been performed along the period December 1998-June 1999 using passive dosimeters. In addition, blood benzene and urinary trans-muconic acid and phenyl mercapturic acid have been determined at the beginning and at the end of workshift. The results so far obtained suggest average levels of exposure to benzene around 10 micrograms/m3 (7 h time weighted average) for traffic wardens, and about three fold lower levels for indoor workers. Average values of benzene exposure recorded for policemen are basically comparable to background levels measured in the urban area. Nevertheless, some outlier values indicate that distinct higher exposure values may be occasionally experienced by traffic wardens. Internal exposure biomarkers were not significantly different between policemen and office workers. Yet, both urinary trans-muconic and phenyl mercapturic acids were significantly increased in smokers compared to non smokers, irrespective of their job.
Carere
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Laboratorio di Tossicologia Comparata ed Ecotossicologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma.
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009817:Office Management; D016495:Police; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012384:Rome; D012621:Seasons; D012907:Smoking; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D016482:Urinalysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C005939:muconic acid; C053003:S-phenyl-N-acetylcysteine; D001554:Benzene; D000111:Acetylcysteine; D013011:Sorbic Acid