Toluene abuse markers in marginalized populations.

Toluene abuse is one of the most common addictions among marginalized Roma. The aim of the study was the comparison of urinary toluene metabolite levels in marginalized population of Eastern Slovakia as compared to the majority population, and to verify the validity of the answers, given in the questionnaires, regarding toluene abuse. The study was carried out as part of the HEPA-META project aiming to map the prevalence of health problems in marginalized Roma. The majority of people living outside the area of the segregated Roma communities comprised the control group. The total number of study participants was 770. Statistically significant differences in the levels of hippuric acid and -cresol were found between Roma and the majority population. Variations in urinary hippuric acid levels in addition to toluene abuse can be caused also by dietary factors, medical treatment as well as alcohol consumption, which is frequent (not only) in marginalized communities.