Urinary trans,trans-muconic acid in workers with or without occupational benzene exposure : peer-reviewed original research

• Published in: Occupational Health Southern Africa Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 9 - 11
• Main Authors: Akindes-Sezan, Gisele, Polneau-Vallee, Sandrine, Sangare-Tigori, Beatrice, Kouadio, Luc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: SASOM (The South African Society of Occupational Medicine) 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Benzene; Car testing centre; Exposure; Trans,trans-muconic acid; Urine
• ISSN: 1024-6274; 2226-6097

Introduction : Unleaded petrol is used as car engine fuel in Côte d'Ivoire, but it contains benzene. A study was conducted to measure urinary trans, trans-muconic acid in benzene exposed workers of a state-owned car testingcentre and compare these values with those of unexposed workers. Methods : A total of 221 people participated, comprising 105 exposed and 116 control employees. Determination of trans,trans-muconic acid level was performed using the method described by Ducos et al., based on high performance liquid chromatography. Results : The exposed and unexposed workers differed with respect to age (p<10-4) but not sex. The median (IQ) concentrations of urinary t, t-MA in the benzene-exposed and unexposed workers were 0.04 (0.009 - 0.120) and 0.03 (0.008 - 0.08) respectively, and were significantly different (p=0.048). Conclusion : Environmental controls and personal protection of benzene-exposed people seemed to be acceptable. However, some workers in the unexposed group had t,t-MA concentrations similar to those of benzene-exposed workers. The current study should be carried out on a broader scale, taking account of confounding factors.