European multicenter cross-sectional study on exposure to low doses of benzene
Merlo, F.; Bertazzi, P.A.; Bolognesi, C.; Colombi, A.; Fustinoni, S.; Buratti, M.; Farmer, P.; Garte, S.; Levy, L.; Pesatori, A.C.; Popov, T.; Taioli, E.; Valerio, F.; Consonni, D.
Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia 25(3): 296-297
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1592-7830 PMID: 14582242 Document Number: 552750
A cross-sectional multicenter european study has been carried out to evacuate the relations between exposure to low level of benzene and biological markers of internal dose (t,t-MA, S-PMA) and early biological effect (DNA-SSB). The research has shown significantly increased levels (adjusted for smoking habits) of the urinary excretion of t,t-MA, S-PMA and DNA-SSB in petrochemical workers (mean benzene level = 5,694 micrograms/m3) but not in filling station attendants, traffic police officers, and bus drivers compared to referent workers. Dose-response relations were detected between benzene air levels, t,t-MA, S-PMA and DNA-SSB in petrochemical workers, with significantly increased levels of DNA-SSB detected for benzene exposure levels in the range 391-1,800 micrograms/m3 (0.12-0.58 ppm).