Evaluation of MTBE Exposure, Knowledge and Practice about Methyl Tertiary - Butyl Ether among Traffic Policemen in Bangkok

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of exposure to methyl tertiary-butyl ether(MTBE) in traffic policemen in Bangkok metropolitan area by using personal air sampling,biological monitoring (blood and urine) including questionnaire about knowledge. The subjects ofthis study consisted of 61 traffic policemen and 24 office workers as controls. The MTBE inairborne was measured throughout the work with a diffusion passive monitor attached on thebreathing zone of each subject. The urine and the blood samples were taken after the work. TheMTBE in airborne was analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with FID and the biological(blood and urine) samples were done by one with headspace. The geometric mean of MTBEin airborne was 33.0 ppb among the traffic policemen and significantly higher than one amongthe controls (21.1 ppb). In addition, this study showed that the traffic policemen had significantlyhigher concentrations of MTBE in blood than the controls. The subjects had little knowledgeabout the hazard of exposure to MTBE. From these results, we can emphasize that trafficpolicemen are exposed to MTBE and they should get occupational health education and usesuitable personal protective equipment.

Key words: Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), Biological Monitoring, Traffic policemen