Determination of Urinary Methyl Hippuric Acid Using Shimadzu UV-Visible Spectrophotometer Among Petroleum Employees

Abstract

Xylene is a significant part of petroleum and a broadly considered as a natural impure material. About 98% of Xylene is extracted from the petrochemical and petrol refining factories. It is one of the major genotoxicant part in petroleum, which may initiate various diseases but malignancy is questionable. Taking into consideration, we intend to identify the urinary methyl hippuric acid level which is metabolic product of xylene among petroleum station employees as well as in healthy persons. Aims and Objectives: To identify the occupational exposure of xylene in petrol station employees by assessing urinary methyl hippuric acid level. To determine and compare the level of urinary methyl hippuric acid among healthy individuals and petrol station employees. Materials and Methods: Urine samples were collected from 30 healthy individual (control) and 30 petroleum employees (case) working in petroleum station who are above 18 years of age. The urinary methyl hippuric acid (MHA) level was analysed by using Shimadzu UV-Visible Spectrophotometer method. Results: The urinary Methyl hippuric acid level was significantly higher in petroleum station employees than in healthy individuals (p<0.001). Conclusion: The urinary MHA level is a helpful tool to identify the occupational exposure of people who work in petrol and petroleum product. Subsequently, our investigation accentuates that proper precautionary measure and efficiently bio-observing should be taken among petrol station employees which will assist with reducing their likely degrees of risk related with the occupation. It might start the cancer-causing disease through the cellular DNA changes and induce genotoxic effects. Key words: Xylene, Occupational Exposure, Urine Methyl Hippuric Acid Level, UV Spectrophotometry.