Correlation Between The Novel Biomarker For Benzene Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure, Urine Trans, Trans Muconic Acid And Urine Phenol

Abstract

Volatile aromatic hydrocarbons become an important group of toxic substance at present. Benzene is a colorless poisonous liquid with a sweet - odor. Breathing extremely high level of benzene can result in death while exposure to high level can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Long-term benzene exposure mainly affects hematopoietic system. At present, it is documented as a known inducer of leukemia (Rinsky et al, 1987). At present, work with benzene is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999. Hence, benzene exposure is of particular concern because of ongoing exposure to thousands of workers in the many occupations. In developing countries, awareness of the public health impact of exposure to volatile solvents is growing, although few of these countries have introduced policies and regulations that combat the problem effectively. In exposure- and risk- evaluation, the monitoring of benzene by peripheral biomarker has several advantages over technical assessment of exposure. Standard biomarker for benzene exposure at present is urine phenol level However, there are some other metabolites of benzene in urine that have been studied for its usefulness as biomarker. Here, the author investigated the classical aromatic hydrocarbon urine metabolite Phenol and its correlation to the advance biomarker, urine trans, trans muconic acid (ttMA).