目的 本研究之目的在測量強化塑膠工廠空氣中苯乙烯及苯乙烯氧化物(SO)之濃度，同時亦探討與苯乙烯尿中代謝物苯乙醇酸(MA)及苯乙醛酸(PGA)在濃度之相關性。方法 收集44位強化塑膠工廠勞工依其工作環境暴露苯乙烯分爲高、低暴露及對照組，測定勞工在上午及下午空氣中苯乙烯與苯乙烯氧化物濃度及其尿中代謝物濃度。結果 強化塑膠工廠空氣中苯乙烯濃度低於我國勞工法令容許標准(50 ppm)，空氣中苯乙烯濃度與尿中代謝物苯乙醛酸(r=0.59)及苯乙烯氧化物(r=0.28，p<0.05)具有顯著相關性，但與尿中代謝物MA有相關性。而苯乙烯氧化物與尿中MA有相關(r=0.25,p<0.05)。隨著工作環境空氣中苯乙烯暴露量增加，其相對空氣中苯乙烯氧化物及其尿中代謝物苯乙醛酸濃度均有正相關性。依多變項回歸分析得知經調整吸菸、喝酒及藥物使用後，每增加空氣中1 ppm苯乙烯暴露量相當於會增加工作者其尿中1.33mg/g cre. PGA之量。結論 空氣中苯乙烯、苯乙烯氧化物及其尿中代謝物濃度均呈正相關。
Objectives. To investigate the relationship between levels of airborne sytrene and styrene oxide (SO) and the two main urinary metabolites of styrene, mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in a glass-fiber reinforced plastic factory. Methods. All 44 workers in the factory participated in the study and were divided into three groups based on exposure to styrene in the workplace (high and low exposure, and control group). Urine samples were collected in the morning and afternoon. Airborne styrene and SO levels were analyzed by gas chromatography. Urinary MA and PGA were measured by HPLC. Results. Airborne styrene concentrations in the glass-fiber reinforced plastic factory did not exceed the 50 ppm exposure limit stipulated by the Taiwan government. The concentration of airborne styrene positively correlated with that of SO (r=0.28, p<0.05) and urinary PGA (r=0.59, p<0.01). However, concentration of airborne styrene did not correlate significantly with urinary MA.SO correlated significantly with urinary MA (r=0.25, p<0.05). Concentrations of airborne styrene, SO, PGA and MA were positively associated with styrene exposure. Based on multiple regression analysis, an increase of 1 ppm styrene corresponded to an increase of 1.33mg/g cre. in urinary PGA, after adjusting for cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and use of prescription drugs. Conclusions. Concentrations of styrene and SO in the air significantly correlated with metabolites of styrene in urine.
