Differentiation of Immediate and Delayed Metabolic Biomarkers: Qualitative Assessment of Benzene Exposure in Cigarette Smokers and Petrol Station Workers

Abstract

Benzene is known an omnipresent pollutant, a common industrial chemical and a prominent constituent of gasoline, tobacco smoke and engine emission [1,2]. Human population exposes to benzene includes petrochemical workers, petrol station attendants, glue workers, rubber industry workers and smokers etc. [1,3]. In 1987, Classification of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) depicts benzene as a group-I carcinogen [4]. Exposure to benzene results in aplastic anemia, dysfunction of the immune system and leukemia [5]. Benzene is naturally occurring component of petroleum products and present in gasoline (petrol), thus petrol station workers are most likely to be affected from benzene toxicity [6]. Rahman et al. [7] and Barbera et al. [8] have reported benzene poisoning when benzene is stupefied with ethyl alcohol in medico-legal poisoning like accidental and homicidal cases.