From the Research
Yes, benzene levels can be measured through various tests, including blood and urine tests that detect benzene and its metabolites like phenol, muconic acid, and S-phenylmercapturic acid. These tests are typically ordered when there's suspected exposure to benzene in workplaces like oil refineries, chemical plants, or gas stations, or from environmental sources such as cigarette smoke, gasoline fumes, or industrial emissions 1.
Methods of Measurement
Testing is usually performed by healthcare providers or occupational health specialists and should be done promptly after exposure since benzene has a short half-life in the body.
- Blood tests are the most common method to detect recent benzene exposure
- Urine tests can identify benzene metabolites like phenol, muconic acid, and S-phenylmercapturic acid
- Air samples are collected in canisters or on adsorbent with subsequent quantification by gas chromatography 1
Importance of Testing
Benzene testing is important because long-term exposure can lead to serious health effects including blood disorders, immune system damage, and increased cancer risk, particularly leukemia. If you're concerned about benzene exposure, consult a healthcare provider who can order appropriate tests and interpret the results.
Key Considerations
- The most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that biomarkers of benzene, such as benzene in breath, blood, and urine, as well as its urinary metabolites, can be used to estimate exposure and risk.
- The study also highlights the importance of considering non-benzene sources for urinary metabolites, differences in metabolic rates, and the presence of polymorphisms when evaluating risks from environmental exposures to individuals or potentially susceptible populations 1.