Application of biological monitoring for exposure assessment of 1.3 Butadiene

Abstract

Background 1, 3-Butadiene is an important industrial compound. Based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in laboratory animals and humans, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 1999, classified 1, 3-Butadiene as a probable carcinogen to humans (group 2A). The potential for exposure to vehicle exhaust containing these chemical compounds is very noticeable in urban locations. Exposure to incomplete combustion of gasoline has been a long time concern in many occupational fields, including policemen, service stations, and the petroleum industry but in Iran has rarely been studied. Methods This study designed to determine the exposure levels for traffic policemen and gas station workers during routine work shift, by biological monitoring. With this aim, 25 policemen engaged in traffic control, 25 gas station workers and 25 occupationally non-exposed persons were investigated. Spot urine samples were obtained prior to and at the end of the work shift from each subject. The urinary levels of selected urinary metabolites (MHBMA and DHBMA) were determined by using LC-MS/MS. Results There were significant differences among the mean urinary concentrations of DHBMA in pre-shift samples of policemen, gas station workers and occupationally non-exposed persons. The mean urinary concentrations of DHBMA differed significantly among post-shift samples of policemen and gas station (ANOVA: p < 0.05 and Kruskal-Wallis test: p < 0.05). Conclusions There was a significant difference in DHBMA concentrations between job categories (p < 0.05 by ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test), and policemen and gas station workers were found to be probably the most exposed groups in this study.