title: Comparison of benzene exposure in drivers and petrol stations workers by urinary trans,trans-muconic acid in west of Iran.
abstract: Motor vehicle traffic is the main emission source of benzene. We undertook this study in order to compare benzene exposure and urinary levels of trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in taxi drivers and petrol station workers. Air benzene levels were analyzed with gas chromatography using a Flame Ionization Detector. t,t-MA was extracted from urine and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Significant differences in levels of urinary t,t-MA were found in drivers and petrol station workers when compared to a control group (p<0.05). Correlation coefficients between benzene in air and t,t-MA for petrol station workers and drivers were 0.65 and 0.30, respectively. The concentration of benzene in the breathing zone of petrol station workers was 2-3 times higher than drivers, and also 3 times greater than a threshold level (0.5 ppm) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The lowest benzene concentration at which urinary t,t-MA increased to a measurable level was approximately 0.17 ppm. In conclusion our results suggested that high benzene levels are emitted in petrol stations in west Iran. t,t-MA analysis was able to separate those exposed from the non-exposed benzene group when benzene in the breathing zone of subjects was greater than 0.17 ppm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdul Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joneidi Jafari
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahjub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016482:Urinalysis; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001335:Vehicle Emissions; C005939:muconic acid; D001554:Benzene; D013011:Sorbic Acid