Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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The Relationship between Exposure to Benzene and the Excretion of Urinary Trans, Trans-muconic Acid in Petrochemical Factory Turnaround Process Workers

석유화학공장 대정비 작업 근로자의 벤젠 노출과 요중 trans, trans-muconic acid 배설과의 관계

  • Lee, Seung Min (Institute for Occupational Health & Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Won, Jong Uk (Institute for Occupational Health & Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Kim, Chi Nyon (Institute for Occupational Health & Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Roh, Jaehoon (Institute for Occupational Health & Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University)
  • 이승민 (연세대학교 보건대학원 및 산업보건연구소) ;
  • 원종욱 (연세대학교 보건대학원 및 산업보건연구소) ;
  • 김치년 (연세대학교 보건대학원 및 산업보건연구소) ;
  • 노재훈 (연세대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실 및 산업보건연구소)
  • Received : 2014.02.18
  • Accepted : 2014.03.20
  • Published : 2014.03.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Using laborers participating in the petrochemical factory turnaround process as subjects, this study aims to identify exposure to benzene in the air and examine the relationship between exposure and the excretion of urinary metabolites by measuring concentrations of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA). Methods: A passive sampler was used to measure the level of benzene in the air. In order to analyze urinary metabolites, the urine of laborers participating in the turnaround process was collected twice daily, both before and after work. In addition, a survey was conducted on work factors and lifestyle habits as factors affecting the concentration of urinary metabolites. Results: During the survey period, benzene was detected in the samples from all workers, and its average concentration was $0.16{\pm}0.22ppm$. The average concentration of t,t-MA after work was $1.20{\pm}1.86mg/g$ creatinine, and the results of analyzing urinary metabolites concentration before and after work showed statistically significant differences(p=0.003). There was also a statistically significant correlation (r=0.52, p=0.002) between benzene in the air and the concentration of after-work urinary t,t-MA. Conclusions: During the turnaround process, the average benzene concentration in workers was $0.16{\pm}0.22ppm$, which was below the exposure limit. However, their average t,t-MA concentration was $1.20{\pm}1.86mg/g$ creatinine, which exceeded the exposure limit of 1mg/g creatinine. The characteristics of turnaround process work require considerations such as underestimating the passive sampler being used and the skin absorption of benzene, and there needs to be a simultaneous assessment of working environment measurements and biological monitoring.

Keywords

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