title: Determination of urinary t-t muconic acid as biomarker of environmental benzene intake and its interference factors.
abstract: The target of our study was the determination of urinary t,t muconic acid concentration, as a biomarker of benzene intake in a population. Urinary samples of 101 subjects, males and females were obtained to whom. Information regarding modification and confounding factors were recorded by questionnaire. The samples were analysed by HPLC, after extraction of trans,trans muconic acid on strong anionic exchange cartridges. In these analytical conditions the detection limit with good care is 10 micrograms/l. A concentration range from 10 to 1300 micrograms/l was found. High levels found in the population could explained by confounding factors present. The obtained results were correlated with sex, age and smoking or non smoking. There was a significant difference in mean concentrations between heavy smokers (160 micrograms/l) and non smokers (110 micrograms/l), that showed tobacco as an interference factor. The study showed that it is strictly necessary carry out a thorough anamnesis before sampling with the objective of finding eventual interference factors such as smoking, diet and drugs taken.
authors.affiliation: Sez. Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Genova Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova. valter@unige.it
authors.forename: Teresio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Medico
authors.forename: Duilio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiapperini
authors.forename: Alfredo D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bonsignore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001554:Benzene / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C005939:muconic acid; D001554:Benzene; D013011:Sorbic Acid