A laboratory method of making detector tubes for the determination of benzene concentration in the exhaled breath

Abstract

The parent aromatic hydrocarbon, benzene, has been and still is used in industry on a large scale, although the use of it is generally avoided because of its adverse health effects. Hence, it is still possible to come across a number of benzene intoxication cases, due to its technically inappropriate way of use.

It has been reported that the amount of absorption of benzene can be estimated by providing certain parameters, such as benzene in the inspired air and exhaled breath. The gaschromatographic methods used in the determination of these parameters seems to be accurate and highly specific, but needed time‐consuming pre‐arrengements and expesive apparatus not generally available in working places. Therefore, a practicable semi‐quantitative method was needed for screening tests to estimate the degree of exposure to benzene vapour. For this purpose, a laboratory method of making a colour indicator tube was developed for determination of benzene concentration in the exhaled breath.

This tube is sensitive enough to determine benzene in breath down to 2 ppm. Benzene concentrations can be determined without being affected by up to 30 ppm of toluene. Xylene and cumene have no influence at all on the determination. The tube ca also be modified to determine atmospheric levels of benzene in the working environment.

Key words:

• Detector Tubes
• Benzene Exposure
• Benzene in the Exhaled Breath.