Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 4

The Effects of Fasting on Toluene Metabolite (Hippuric Acid) Excretion in Urine (A Case Study of Shoe-Makers in Tambak Oso Wilangun Village-Surabaya)

1Health Department Vocational Faculty, Airlangga University, Airlangga University, Indonesia

2Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health, Airlangga University, Indonesia

*Corresponding author Abdul Rohim Tualeka, Occupational Health and Safety Department, School of Public Health, Airlangga University Kampus C, Jalan Mulyorejo, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia, Tel: +62 31 5920948, Fax: +62 31 5924618, E-mail: inzut.tualeka@gmail.com

Online published on 27 November, 2019.

Abstract

An increase in toluene metabolite (hippuric acid) excretion in urine can be stimulated by such factors as fasting, smoking and coffee consumption. This research aimed at studying the effects of fasting on urinary toluene excretion of shoemakers in Tambak Oso Wilangun-Surabaya.

This controlled case-study was conducted to 20 workers with purposive sampling method from the population. The independent variables of the study include toluene concentration, fasting or not fasting condition, smoking, and coffee consumption. The dependent variable was urinary hippuric acid concentration. Pearson Correlation test was conducted to identify the correlation between toluene concentration and hippuric acid concentration. Paired-t-test was used to compare hippuric acid concentration in fasting and non-fasting condition. The correlations between coffee consumption and smoking and hippuric acid concentration were analyzed by using chi-square test (α=0, 05). Risk assessment was used to identify the health risk from occupational toluene exposure.

The research showed that most of the respondents (65%) were at risk to health problems related to toluene exposure (RQ>1). The statistical tests showed no significant correlation between toluene concentration and hippuric acid concentration; there was a significant difference between hippuric acid concentration before and after fasting (p=0, 016; p<α); there was a significant correlation between hippuric acid concentration (non fasting) with smoking habit (p=0, 022), coffee consuming habit (p=0, 025); and between hippuric acid concentration (in fasting condition) with coffee consuming (p=0, 039).

Fasting, coffee consuming and smoking habit can increase urinary hippuric acid excretion. It is recommended for future researcher to control both coffee consumption and smoking when investigating the effects of fasting to urinary hippuric acid excretion to avoid biased results. Respondents are suggested to improve ventilation system in their workshops and use chemical cartridge respirator, apron and gloves while working.

Keywords

Fasting, hippuric acid concentration, toluene, smoking, coffe consumption