Evaluating the Amount of Exposure to Benzene by Urinary Trans-Trans Muconic Acid Levels Assessment for Workers in Contact with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Benzene is one of the major constituents of the volatile organic pollutants family and one of the major pollutants in air pollution, which contains the most extensive chemical compound used in both natural processes and synthetic processes. The main way to contact benzene in the industry is through the respiratory tract. Exposure to benzene can cause many of the most dangerous adverse health effects, especially leukemia. This study used performance high liquid chromatography analysis techniques to determine the exposure level of benzene dyeing plant workers and the bioassay of trans-trans muconic acid in urine. This is a case-control study. 65 painting factory workers (in two groups exposed to benzene and not exposed to masks and without respiratory masks) participated in this study. Samples were collected at the beginning and end of the shift. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the concentration of trans-trans muconic acid in urine samples. The results showed that the mean concentration of trans-trans muconic acid as a metabolite of benzene in the urine of exposed workers (mean ± standard deviation) was 2.7025± 3.18126 (ppm) and the mean concentration of trans-trans muconic acid in workers with mask (mean ± standard deviation) is 1.4079±2.73664 (ppm). Statistical analysis of the results between the two groups showed that the exposure to benzene concentration between workers with and without respiratory masks was (p=0.246) and was P 0.05. Consequently, there was no significant difference between the two groups. The present study shows that the average concentration of transmuconic acid in workers urine indicates exposure to higher concentrations than standard benzene, so it can be said that these people are at risk for occupational diseases, occupational cancers, and other side effects. are. From exposure to these pollutants.