Benzene (molecular formula C6H6) is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is produced by the burning of natural products. Research has shown benzene to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing). It is metabolized by the liver and subsequently processed, through a molecular process, in t,t-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and S-Phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA). A limited quantity of absorbed benzene is excreted by the urine and its detection may represent a specific index of a previous exposure. The urinary excretion of t,t-MA and S-PMA is very quick. They are two good indicators of exposure to benzene in fact various researchers had found statistically significant linear correlations between solvent exposure and the concentration of these two acids in the urine samples of workers, samples gathered at the end of work shift. The goal of the present paper is to perform a comparison between t,t-MA and S-PMA acid, considering the benzene presence in the environment. Moreover we aim to valuate which of them results more sensitive to the benzene variations, also considering the influence of the age and the smoking habit. The used methodology is the "Non Parametric Combination Test" or NPC test, chosen for the optimality properties of which it is characterized.
The alterations of t,t-muconic acid and S-phenylmercapturic acid levels due to benzene exposure: an application of NPC test
ZIRILLI, Agata;ALIBRANDI, Angela
2012-01-01
Abstract
Benzene (molecular formula C6H6) is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is produced by the burning of natural products. Research has shown benzene to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing). It is metabolized by the liver and subsequently processed, through a molecular process, in t,t-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and S-Phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA). A limited quantity of absorbed benzene is excreted by the urine and its detection may represent a specific index of a previous exposure. The urinary excretion of t,t-MA and S-PMA is very quick. They are two good indicators of exposure to benzene in fact various researchers had found statistically significant linear correlations between solvent exposure and the concentration of these two acids in the urine samples of workers, samples gathered at the end of work shift. The goal of the present paper is to perform a comparison between t,t-MA and S-PMA acid, considering the benzene presence in the environment. Moreover we aim to valuate which of them results more sensitive to the benzene variations, also considering the influence of the age and the smoking habit. The used methodology is the "Non Parametric Combination Test" or NPC test, chosen for the optimality properties of which it is characterized.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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