本研究目的為探討造船塗裝廠調漆之勞工，作業時二甲苯經由皮膚暴露進入人體之情形。本研究對象為5名調漆工人，連續採樣四天，進行全程勞工個人二甲苯暴露測定，並收集勞工下班後的尿液進行尿中甲基馬尿酸（methyl hippuric acid, MHA）的分析。空氣二甲苯暴露濃度為1.72±1.02 ppm（mean±SD），尿中的MHA濃度為97.1±44.3 mg/g creatinine，由皮膚暴露途徑產生的MHA為62.8±41.0 mg/g creatinine。二甲苯經由皮膚吸收進入勞工體內佔所有暴露途徑的比率約為60.1±0.14%，皮膚吸收劑量相當於吸入4.77 ppm的二甲苯。本研究發現造船塗裝廠調漆工人作業時，主要的暴露途徑為皮膚吸收，未來雇主應提供適當的化學防護衣或手套，以減少勞工暴露到有機溶劑。

The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of dermal absorption to the total exposure dose for xylene in paint-mixing workers. The full work-shift exposure to xylene of five paintmixing workers in a shipyard was environmentally monitored during a 4-day work period. Urine was collected after the work shift each day and urinary methyl hippuric acid (MHA) was analyzed. The average concentration of xylene in the air was 1.72 ± 1.02 ppm (mean ± SD). The levels of urinary MHA were 97.1 ± 44.3 mg/g creatinine, of which 62.8 ± 41.0 mg/g was attributable to skin absorption. Thus, the contribution of dermal absorption to the total exposure dose of xylene was 60.1 ± 0.14%; the dose via skin absorption corresponded to an inhalation exposure of 4.77 ppm of xylene. This study suggests that dermal exposure may be the main contributor to the total body burden of solvents. Therefore, companies should provide suitable chemical protective suits and gloves for their employees to reduce their dermal exposure to solvents.