工具機械工廠中甲苯、二甲苯的勞工尿液代謝物之評估

研究目的： 工具機製造廠作業勞工經常會暴露於有機化合物的作業環境中，但此類工作場所勞工經常不瞭解其長期暴露狀況及健康危害風險，本研究利用目前國際上較新的評估方法與技術來探討甲苯、二甲苯的尿液代謝物，藉由尿液採樣分析代謝物變化趨勢評估勞工暴露情況。研究方法： 對參與研究之4間工具機製造業作業勞工，以LC/MS/MS進行尿液中生物指標分析及對作業勞工進行問卷調查，分為(1)員工活動模式調查：根據勞工之每日工作分佈及不同工作地點暴露評估採樣位置(2)勞工暴露史與現況調查：包括個人身高、體重、BMI、抽菸、喝酒、防護具使用、工作歷史如工作職稱、工作年限、工作性質等資料。結果與討論： 4間工廠有機化合物體內暴露劑量二甲苯代謝物總甲基馬尿酸(TOTAL MHA)濃度均未超過ACGIH TOTAL MHA生物暴露指標(Biological exposure index, BEI)為1.5g/g cr。A工廠甲苯代謝物芐基硫醇酸(BMA)濃度最高為8號勞工其部門位於B棟加工課，上班前濃度為5.9(µg/g creatinine)下班前濃度為51.6 (µg/g creatinine)，由作業觀察其可能與該勞工會前往甲苯貼合區進行作業相關。BMA、Total MHA下班前平均濃度較上班前平均濃度有增加之趨勢。結論： 作業勞工使用揮發性有機化合物進行擦拭，容易從皮膚、黏膜滲入體內，應教導作業勞工使用溶劑擦拭時應配戴適當手套，並將清潔後之擦拭布以密閉容器儲存，避免造成更多的暴露。為了減少勞工暴露有機化合物濃度，應增設局部排氣裝置、對勞工施行有機溶劑危害預防之教育訓練，提升知能，建立自我保護之意識，並要求勞工配戴適當的個人呼吸防護器具。

Aims: Workers in machine tool manufacturers are often exposed to the operating environment of organic compounds, but such workplace workers often do not understand their long-term exposure and health hazard risks. This study uses current internationally new assessment methods and techniques to explore Urine metabolites of toluene and xylene were evaluated for trends in metabolites by urine sampling to assess labor exposure.Methods:Completion of the four machine tool manufacturing operations involved in the study, LC/MS/MS for biometric analysis of urine and questionnaire survey of working labor, divided into (1) employee activity model survey: daily work according to labor distribution and location of exposure assessment at different workplaces (2) Labor exposure history and current situation survey: including personal height, weight, BMI, smoking, drinking, use of protective gear, work history such as job title, working years, nature of work, etc.Results and discussion:The total methyl hippuric acid (TOTAL MHA) concentration of xylene metabolites in the four factories did not exceed the ACGIH TOTAL MHA Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of 1.5 g/g cr. No. 8 labor had highest benzyl mercapturic acid (BMA) concentration in the processing department of Building B in the plant A. The concentration is 5.9 (μg/g creatinine) before work and the concentration is 51.6 (μg/g creatinine) after work. It is observed from the operation that it may be related to the work of the labor in the toluene bonding area. The average concentration of BMA and Total MHA after work is higher than the average concentration before work.Conclusions:Workers wipe machine use solvent. It would be penetration from the skin and mucous membranes. Training workers wear appropriate gloves when using solvent and store the cleaned wipes in a closed container to avoid more exposure. For the purpose of reduce labor’s organic compound expose, local exhaust devices and education training is necessary. Promotion the worker’s self-protection awareness and wear appropriate personal respiratory protective gear.