Benzene-Induced Changes in Hematological Parameters and Urinary Trans, Trans-Muconic Acid among Gasoline Station Workers

The recent report on benzene exposure among Thai gas station attendants is very interesting. However, this work is a simple study on an out of date biomarker with some problems to be considered. There is a previous report from the same setting among the same population. The present redundant work, without citation of the previous study, has many interesting findings. First, the average level of the t, t-MA measured in the present report is significantly different from that of the previous report. This might reflect either the significant changes in the study pollution in this area or a problem in the laboratory analysis of the samples. Of interest, the reference given for the technique of measurement of t, t-MA is really not corresponding to the textual description - the authors mention a modified technique, but the citation is an original method developed by Lee, et al. It is therefore questionable what technique was exactly used by the authors in their study.