Biological monitoring of benzene in residents living near petrochemical industrial areas in Korea

Residents who live near petrochemical industrial areas risk exposure to a variety of petrochemicals, including benzene and benzene-containing liquids, It is a serious concern because benzene is a human carcinogen naturally present in petroleum and gasoline. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to benzene, measured by personal/indoor/outdoor air sampling, and to estimate: the relationship between the air samples and biological monitoring data. Through biological monitoring, we investigated s-phenylmercapturic acid (s-PMA), minor urinary metabolites of benzene, and benzene in blood. The external benzene exposure of 115 subjects was measured with passive dosimeters and urinary s-PMA and blood-benzene were determined by GC/MS. The mean concentration of benzene in the breathing zone of residents was 6.3 mu g/m(3), slightly higher than indoor or outdoor concentrations. Personal, indoor and outdoor concentrations of benzene were significantly correlated to each other. s-PMA was affected by personal exposure (p<0.05) and was differed according to age (p<0.01) and residence time (p<0.05). Blood benzene was not affected by external benzene during these periods.