The determination of benzene in human blood as an indicator of environmental exposure to volatile aromatic compounds

Summary For the determination of ecologically caused benzene levels in human blood samples and for the evaluation of reference values for the general population a sensitive and reliable method was developed. The determination is performed by dynamic head space chromatography and FID-detection. The detection limit is 80 ng/l blood. The main problem is the avoidance of contamination during the preanalytical phase; precautions and recommendations are given. The mean benzene levels of nonsmokers are 176±62 ng/l, of smokers 211±85 ng/l; active smokers showed levels of 365±178 ng/l.