Benzene-exposed army soldiers: nasal cytology as a screening tool

Objective: Assessment of the nasal cytology in revealing early nasal mucosa alteration of workers exposed to benzene. Methods: Nasal cytology was compared among non-exposed and exposed workers to benzene. A comparison of the two groups was performed considering rhino-cytological features. Results: In the exposed group neutrophils count range was 14 to 70, compared to 2 to 5 in control group. Ciliated cells ratio range was respectively 0.28 to 2.8 and 0.25 to 0.31. In subjects exposed to benzene >10 years, nasal mucosa showed an inflammatory status and an ongoing mucipar metaplasia, defined by an alteration of mucipar/ciliated cells ratio. Conclusions: Nasal cytology may be a useful research tool for the health surveillance of workers exposed to benzene and may be applied to study the effects of other upper airways chemicals irritants.