Benzene exposure and hypertension: an observation.

Pollutants such as benzene are of particular concern since recent research has indicated that exposure to benzene can result in chronic toxicity. However, there are limited data on the effects of benzene exposure on blood pressure. To continue with a previous study, the aim was to determine the degree of exposure to benzene using the classic biomarker, urine phenol, and its correlation with hypertension. From the results of this study, the rate of hypertension in the group with high exposure to benzene (100%) was significantly higher than that in the group with less exposure (49%). A possible mechanism of benzene-induced hypertension could be disturbance of the nitric oxide process, subsequently leading to hypertension. However, the actual mechanism causing hypertension in subjects exposed to benzene requires further study.