Sim Gyu-Jin, Choi Sun-Haeng, Kim Ki-Youn
Graduate School of Safety Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jun 25;13(13):1516. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13131516.
This study investigates the relationship between occupational exposure to airborne phenol and its biological accumulation in chemical plant workers, with a particular focus on urinary phenol levels. It also explores the influence of job roles, employment duration, protective equipment use, and personal lifestyle habits on internal exposure. A cohort of bisphenol A (BPA) manufacturing workers was classified based on job tasks and exposure characteristics. Airborne phenol concentrations were measured using standard occupational hygiene methods, and urinary phenol levels were analyzed before and after work shifts. Statistical analyses examined associations between phenol exposure and occupational and behavioral variables. Urinary phenol levels significantly increased after work shifts, particularly among workers involved in cleaning tasks. A strong correlation was observed between airborne phenol concentrations and urinary levels, indicating that even low-level environmental exposure can result in measurable biological accumulation. Notably, workers who did not use personal protective equipment or who reported smoking showed higher internal phenol burdens. This study highlights the importance of integrating biological monitoring with conventional exposure assessments in phenol-handling workplaces. Effective exposure control should include improved ventilation, strict compliance with personal protective equipment use, and health education programs that address modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to reduce occupational health risks associated with phenol exposure.
本研究调查了化工厂工人职业性接触空气中苯酚与其体内生物蓄积之间的关系，特别关注尿酚水平。研究还探讨了工作岗位、工作时长、防护设备使用情况以及个人生活方式习惯对体内接触的影响。根据工作任务和接触特征对一组双酚A（BPA）制造工人进行了分类。采用标准职业卫生方法测量空气中苯酚浓度，并在轮班前和轮班后分析尿酚水平。统计分析检验了苯酚接触与职业和行为变量之间的关联。轮班后尿酚水平显著升高，尤其是从事清洁任务的工人。空气中苯酚浓度与尿酚水平之间存在很强的相关性，这表明即使是低水平的环境接触也会导致可测量的生物蓄积。值得注意的是，未使用个人防护设备或报告吸烟的工人体内苯酚负担更高。本研究强调了在苯酚处理工作场所将生物监测与传统接触评估相结合的重要性。有效的接触控制应包括改善通风、严格遵守个人防护设备的使用规定，以及开展健康教育项目，解决如吸烟等可改变的生活方式因素。这些发现强调了需要采取综合策略来降低与苯酚接触相关的职业健康风险。
