2-Mercaptobenzothiazole in urine of children and adolescents in Germany – Human biomonitoring results of the German Environmental Survey 2014–2017 (GerES V)

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) is widely used as a vulcanisation accelerator and is contained in many products made from natural rubber, e.g. car tires. Additionally, it is used as a fungicide in paint or fibre. Systemically human exposure to 2-MBT can occur via dermal and oral uptake or inhalation. Locally, 2-MBT can cause skin sensitisation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified 2-MBT as probably carcinogenic to humans. 516 urine samples of 3- to 17-year-old children and adolescents living in Germany were analysed for the concentration of 2-MBT in the population representative German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents 2014–2017 (GerES V). 2-MBT was quantified above the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.0 μg/L in 50% of the 516 samples analysed. The geometric mean of urinary 2-MBT concentration was 1.018 μg/L and 0.892 μg/gcreatinine, the arithmetic mean was 1.576 μg/L (1.351 μg/gcrea). The median concentration was below the LOQ. Analyses of subgroups revealed higher 2-MBT concentrations in children aged 3–5 years compared to 14- to 17-year-old adolescents. All urinary 2-MBT concentrations were well below the health-based guidance value HBM-I for children of 4.5 μg/L. Therefore, current exposure levels are – according to current knowledge – not of concern. For the first time, reference values can be derived for 2-MBT for children and adolescents in Germany. This will facilitate to recognise changing exposure levels in this population group in Germany and identification of unusually high exposures. •Worldwide first representative data on exposure to 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole on national level.•2-Mercaptobenzothiazole concentration ≥1.0 μg/L in half of the samples.•Higher exposure in young children than in adolescents.