Exposure of Sweepers to Volatile Organic Compounds Using Urinary Biological Exposure Index

Background: evaluation of exposition to volatile organic compounds (voc) and compare urinary level of urinary biological exposure index in sweepers in west of iran.methods: this study was carried out on 40 street sweepers and 40 non-exposed as control group living inh.amadan city, west of iran. voc was analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (fid). the urinary biological exposure index (bel) was analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (hplc) equipped with an ultraviolet (uv) detector. the concentration of benzene, toluene, m & p-xylene o-xylene and ethyl benzene was 39.01, 121.60,27.12,12.30, and 10.21 (mo/m3), respectively.results: no-difference in the levels of hippuric acid in urine was found in sweepers compared with the control group. significance differences in the level of o-cresol in urine were found in sweeperscompared to control group (p< 0.005). the poor correlation coefficient was seen between xylenes concentration and urinary mha for drivers.conclusion: high voc are emitted inside of cities at iran. o-cresol could separate the exposed to toluene from the non-exposed in sweepers. hippuric acid, methyl hippuric acid and muconic acid arenot suitable biomarkers for occupations such as sweepers exposure to voc in low concentration.