| Document ID (ISN) | 77973 |
| CIS number |
02-311 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1250-3274 - Archives des maladies professionnelles et de médecine du travail |
| Year |
2000 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Wendling J.M., Heid L., Gonzalez M., Mirabel D., Wirrmann C., Lenoble H., Zorgnotti M., Barbier M., Machacek A. |
| Title |
Assessment of benzene exposure among car mechanics |
| Original title |
Evaluation de l'exposition au benzène chez les mécaniciens automobiles [in French] |
| Bibliographic information |
May 2000, Vol.61, No.3, p.162-169. 21 ref. |
| Abstract |
The level of exposure to benzene was evaluated among 56 car mechanics. Urinary trans-trans muconic acid analysis was performed before and after the shift among workers who carried out tasks involving exposure to gasoline (changing the fuel filter, and working on the carburettor or tank). Subjects were given a questionnaire related to both medical and work issues. It was found that exposure at the end of the shift (0.35mg/g creatinine) was significantly higher than before the start of work (0.14mg/g creatinine). However, this level is moderate and corresponds to an atmospheric concentration of benzene of 0.5 to 0.6ppm. Changing the filter, the most frequent task, involved the least exposure. However, the average exposure level was found to be significantly higher during winter than in summer. Certain working procedures, such as soaking parts in gasoline, cleaning by blowing through parts, not using the degreasing fountain and onychophagia resulted in higher levels of exposure. The observations confirm literature reports indicating that car mechanics tend to use less and less gasoline to clean parts and wash their hands. The study confirms that car mechanics are exposed to moderate levels of benzene. Measures to further reduce exposure levels are proposed. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
benzene; exposure tests; vehicle repair and servicing; garages |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
trans,trans-muconic acid; motor fuel; cleaning; degreasing; exposure evaluation; questionnaire survey; determination in urine; personal hygiene |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | France |
| Subject(s) |
Metal production and metalworking
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Road transportation
Biological monitoring
Aromatic hydrocarbons
|
