Objectives  To study the early indicators for the health care of workers with long-term exposure to harmful aromatic hydrocarbon substances, to dynamically monitor the oxidative stress status and timely grasp the degree of injury in human body, so as to provide technical basis for taking early intervention measures.

Methods  The content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by colorimetric method.

Results  The mean values of serum MDA in the exposure group and control group were 4.46 nmol/mL and 2.01 nmol/mL, respectively;the mean activities of GSH-PX were 272.2 U/mL and 312.5 U/mL, respectively; and the mean activities of SOD were 110.0 U/mL and 97.5 U/mL, respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusions  Long-term exposure to harmful aromatic hydrocarbon substances could increase the level of free radicals in human body and enhance the oxidative stress status in vivo. The results indicated that the content of MDA and the activity of SOD in serum could be used as early indicators for monitoring the health status of workers exposed to aromatic hydrocarbon environment.