Validation of hippuric acid as a biomarker of toluene exposure

Toluene is a commonly used solvent in the rubber, plastics, leather, paint, printing and chemical industries (Nise 1992). Thinner, containing toluene as the major component, is the most used mixture in furniture painting and vanishing in Turkey. Toluene is also an ingredient of shoe adhesives (Burgaz et al. 1997). Production of toluene and thinner in Turkey has been raised from 27,000 to 39,980 tons and from 4258 to 11,287 tons respectively during the last three years (DPT 1998).