Comparative Evaluation of Urinary Biomarkers of Exposure to Benzene



Ahmadkhaniha R¹ ; Rastkari N²
Source: International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research Published:2015

Abstract

Benzene, a known human carcinogen is an airborne pollutant of industrial and general environments. Although toxic effects of benzene at high exposures are well documented, the risk for adverse health effects at low levels of benzene exposure remains unknown; therefore identification of sensitive and specific biological markers is necessary for the definition of low benzene level exposure, so in this study a comparative evaluation of urinary biomarkers (urinary trans, trans-muconic acid, S-phenyl mercapturic acid, and unmetabolized benzene ) was carried out in order to characterize the best benzene exposure biomarker. With this aim, 40 policemen engaged in traffic control, 40 gas station workers and 40 occupationally non-exposed persons were investigated. Spot urine samples were obtained prior to and at the end of the work shift from each subject. Mean benzene exposure was 0.35, 0.22 and 0.09 ppm, respectively, with higher levels in gas stage workers than in control group. U-benzene showed a strong exposure-related increase. In conclusion, in the range of investigated benzene exposure, U-benzene is the marker of choice for the biological monitoring of occupational and environmental exposure. © 2015, International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research. All rights reserved.