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 of this study consisted of 61 traffic policemen and 24 office workers as controls. The MTBE in airborne was measured throughout the work with a diffusion passive monitor attached on the breathing zone of each subject. The urine and the blood samples were taken after the work. The MTBE 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 MTBE in airborne was 33.0 ppb among the traffic policemen and significantly higher than one among the controls (21.1 ppb). In addition, this study showed that the traffic policemen had significantly higher concentrations of MTBE in blood than the controls. The subjects had little knowledge about the hazard of exposure to MTBE. From these results, we can emphasize that traffic policemen are exposed to MTBE and they should get occupational health education and use suitable personal protective equipment.