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Rooseboom M, Kocabas NA, North C, Radcliffe RJ, Segal L. Recommedation for an occupational exposure limit for toluene. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 141:105387. [PMID: 37169161 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The Lower Olefins and Aromatics (LOA) REACH Consortium, which includes toluene registrants in the EU, established a Working Group (WG) to conduct a review of the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for toluene. The review focussed on CNS and neuro-behavioural toxicity, ototoxicity, effects on colour vision, reproductive and developmental effects, as safety signals for these effects were identified. The WG also examined the need for a skin notation and/or a short-term exposure limit (STEL). The WG critically reviewed and discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the available published information describing the effects of toluene in animals and humans, to assess its adequacy as a potential point of departure for the establishment of an OEL for toluene and to derive an OEL. As a result, the WG recommendation for a toluene OEL is 20 ppm 8 h TWA, with a 15 min STEL of 100 ppm and a skin notation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Colin North
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences Inc, Annandale, NJ, USA
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2
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Balkhyour MA, Chakroun R, Faidi F. Evaluation of environmental and biological monitoring methods for toluene exposure assessment in paint industry. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103538. [PMID: 36590749 PMCID: PMC9800628 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to Toluene in paint industry and to evaluate the environmental and biological monitoring techniques for the assessment of occupational exposure to this aromatic hydrocarbon. In this study, personal active and passive air sampling for toluene measurements, blood and urine sampling respectively for B-Tol and HA or U-Tol analyses for eight workers from two paint and thinner production factories were collected during four successive working days. Correlations were analyzed between biological indicators and environmental toluene exposure levels. The concentration of Toluene measured in air samples ranged from 0.2 to 414.0 ppm (mean = 59.8 ppm), with high variability of atmospheric levels between activities and between days. No significant difference was found between airborne toluene concentrations measured by the two sampling methods. The correlation between air concentrations sampled by the diffusive sampling method and the biomarkers was the best for HA (r = 0.902, p < 0.01), followed by B-Tol (r = 0.820; p < 0.01), o-Cr (r = 0.691; p < 0.01) and U-Tol (r = 0.607; p < 0.05). The correlation was better between air concentrations and urinary metabolites HA and o-Cr for exposure levels higher than 50 ppm (r = 0.931; p < 0.01), and lower than 300 ppm (r = 0.827; p < 0.01), respectively. According to our results, workers in the studied industries are highly exposed to Toluene. Given the high correlation found between toluene concentrations in samples taken on dosimeters and those actively sampled on charcoal tubes, it may be assumed that both sampling methods are valuable. Despite the influencing factors, HA was found to be a reliable biological indicator for the monitoring of occupational exposure to toluene for high exposure levels. However, B-Tol seems to be an interesting alternative, since it is more specific and showed the best correlations with airborne toluene levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour A. Balkhyour
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Radhouane Chakroun
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia,Corresponding author.
| | - Faycal Faidi
- Al-Qunfudah Center for Scientific Research(QCSR), University College of Al-Qunfudah, Umm Al-Qura University, 21912 Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia,Biology and Occupational Toxicology Laboratories Department, Tunisian Occupational Safety and Health Institute 5, Rue Mustapha Khaznadar, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia
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Kim HH. Characteristics of exposure and health risk air pollutants in public buses in Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:37087-37098. [PMID: 32577981 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09792-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in unregulated public transport means in Korea and to determine the factors affecting the air quality as well as to assess the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants on the health of passengers. The correlation between particulate matter (PM10) and number of passengers on intra-city buses, express buses, town shuttle buses, or rural buses was insignificant whether it was during rush hours or non-rush hours. In regard to PM10 on express buses, there was no case where the standard limit was exceeded during the winter and summer seasons. In winter, however, the average concentration of PM10 increased by the travel distance. In regard to CO2, there was a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between CO2 concentrations and the number of passengers, owing to human respiration. Unlike the case of PM10, there was a difference between rush hours and non-rush hours. Regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes, the values were high among recently manufactured vehicles regardless of bus types. The standard limit was exceeded during the summer season, which seemed to be related to the temperature and humidity in both indoor and outdoor. The results of this study indicate that the excess mortality resulting from PM10 was as high as the safety margin during both non-rush hours and rush hours among all unregulated public transportation means. The excess cancer risk and non-cancer risk of VOCs and aldehydes were as high as the safety margin during both non-rush hours and rush hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Hyun Kim
- Department of Information, Communication and Technology Convergence, ICT Environment Convergence, Pyeongtaek University, Pyeongtaek, 17869, South Korea.
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Kim HH, Park GY, Lee JH. Concentrations of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, VOCs and risk assessment inside Korean taxis and ships. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:9619-9631. [PMID: 30729441 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04361-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration distribution of indoor air pollutants in taxis and ships (passengers) which are frequently used for public transportation and recreational activities in South Korea. In addition, it aimed to assess air quality factors to establish and evaluate the health risks of exposure to polluted indoor air. Particulate matter (PM10) concentrations were not affected by the number of passengers, time of day, and driving characteristics because there were only a few passengers (2 to 4 people) and the space was confined. In the ships, indoor air pollutants responded more sensitively to the operation characteristics depending on the time of sailing (i.e., anchoring and departure, movement of vehicles on the ship, movement of passengers, combustion in the shop, and ventilation) than to the number of people boarding and alighting. The carbon dioxide concentrations in different ship rooms did not vary according to season and degree of congestion; however, there were differences between different ships. These differences may result from the size, type, and operating characteristics of the ships. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes in new taxis exceeded the standard levels during summer. VOC concentrations in ships were particularly high during summer when the outdoor temperature was high. Similar observations were made for other means of transportation. The risk assessment depended on the means of transportation and demonstrated that mortality risks due to PM10 and excess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from VOCs and aldehydes were within safety levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Hyun Kim
- Department of Information, Communication and Technology Convergence. ICT Environment Convergence, Pyeongtaek University, Pyeongtaek, 17869, South Korea.
| | - Gee-Young Park
- Korea Synthesis Pollution Institute of Testing Co., Ltd, Seoul, 08277, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Hun Lee
- Life & Industry Environmental R&D center, Pyeongtaek University, Pyeongtaek, 17869, South Korea
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5
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Hoet P, Lison D. Ototoxicity of Toluene and Styrene: State of Current Knowledge. Crit Rev Toxicol 2008; 38:127-70. [DOI: 10.1080/10408440701845443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Isbell M, Gordian ME, Duffy L. Winter indoor air pollution in Alaska: identifying a myth. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2002; 117:69-75. [PMID: 11843539 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(01)00157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The benzene and toluene levels inside three homes with attached garages were measured for 12 consecutive weeks during the winter months in Fairbanks, Alaska (Latitude 64.5 degrees N). Results for air samples collected over 12 h for the homes showed indoor benzene mixing ratios ranging from 1.6 to 20.4 parts per billion of mixing ratio volume (ppbv), and toluene air mixing ratios ranging from 7.3 to 41.6 ppbv. A correlation between benzene and toluene levels in each home and similar regression lines suggested the same major emission source, car and small equipment gasoline, present in attached garages. In one home, there was a correlation between indoor benzene mixing ratios and the urinary biomarker, trans,trans-muconic acid. Inside, air mixing ratios of benzene and toluene decreased with decreasing outside temperature in all homes studied, even though homes were relatively tight to prevent heat loss during this period of low winter outdoor temperatures. It is suggested that buildup of these pollutants indoors is prevented by the influence of an increased indoor/outdoor temperature differential and an ensuing increase in home ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Isbell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks 99775-6160, USA
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Pitarque M, Vaglenov A, Nosko M, Hirvonen A, Norppa H, Creus A, Marcos R. Evaluation of DNA damage by the Comet assay in shoe workers exposed to toluene and other organic solvents. Mutat Res 1999; 441:115-27. [PMID: 10224328 DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5718(99)00042-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (or Comet) assay was applied to evaluate DNA damage in cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from 34 female shoe workers exposed to organic solvents and a group of 19 non-exposed women. We also investigated whether the polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) genes affect individual level of DNA damage possibly induced by the solvent exposure. Chemical measurements of workplace air in the two factories studied showed that the workers were exposed to acetone, gasoline, and toluene in both factories and to ethylacetate and diisocyanate in one factory. In the exposed workers, the average level of blood hemoglobin was lower and that of urinary hippuric acid higher than in the non-exposed individuals. However, the occupational exposure to organic solvents did not affect the Comet values. Neither did age, smoking, or the GSTM1 genotype have any effect on the outcome of this assay. The low prevalence of the GSTT1-null genotype precluded conclusions on the influence of GSTT1 polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pitarque
- Grup de Mutagènesi, Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Edifici Cn, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Greenberg MM. The central nervous system and exposure to toluene: a risk characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 1997; 72:1-7. [PMID: 9012367 DOI: 10.1006/enrs.1996.3686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The principal health outcome of exposure to toluene is dysfunction of the central nervous system. Effects range from fatalities and severe neurological disorders in toluene abuse situations to deficits in neurobehavioral function in occupational populations. An Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC) of 0.4 mg toluene/m3 or 0.1 ppm was developed by the U.S. EPA to protect general populations chronically exposed to toluene. The RfC was derived from results of an occupational study involving Asian workers who developed neurobehavioral deficits at a mean toluene exposure level at the time of the study of 88 ppm. The derivation incorporated several uncertainty factors, one of which was a factor of 10 to account for sensitive subpopulations. Recent evidence indicates that some Japanese and possibly other Asian populations harbor a defective gene for aldehyde dehydrogenase, and thus exhibit a decreased rate of toluene metabolism. Although it is not known if reduced metabolism by aldehyde dehydrogenase also was a factor in the occupational study, preshift blood levels of toluene were considerably higher than preshift levels from non-Asian workers exposed to similar air levels of toluene. The elevated blood levels are consistent with defective metabolism but remain to be confirmed. Inasmuch as air levels of toluene in urban environments are about 10-fold lower than the RfC, an adequate measure of protection is afforded by the RfC with or without an uncertainty factor for sensitive subgroups. However, the uncertainty factor for sensitive subgroups should be retained because there is no information regarding toluene metabolism in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Greenberg
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
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Jang JY, Droz PO. Simulation of Toluene in Venous Blood with a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model: Its Application to Biological Exposure Index Development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.1080/1047322x.1996.10390020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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10
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Brugnone F, Gobbi M, Ayyad K, Giuliari C, Cerpelloni M, Perbellini L. Blood toluene as a biological index of environmental toluene exposure in the "normal" population and in occupationally exposed workers immediately after exposure and 16 hours later. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1995; 66:421-5. [PMID: 7782127 DOI: 10.1007/bf00383150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Blood toluene was measured in a group of 100 workers occupationally exposed to a mean 8-h environmental toluene concentration of 128 micrograms/l (34 ppm), and in a group of 269 "normal" subjects without occupational exposure to toluene. The mean blood toluene of the workers at the end of the shift and the following morning, after 16 h, was 457 and 38 micrograms/l, respectively. The normal subjects had a blood toluene level of 1.1 micrograms/l. On the basis of the highly significant correlation between blood toluene and occupational exposure, it can be calculated that environmental toluene exposure of 188 and 377 micrograms/l (50 and 100 ppm) gives end-of-shift blood toluene levels of 690 and 1390 micrograms/l, respectively. The corresponding blood toluene levels on the following morning are 50 and 100 micrograms/l, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Brugnone
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico Borgo Roma, Italy
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Kawai T, Mizunuma K, Yasugi T, Horiguchi S, Ikeda M. Toluene in blood as a marker of choice for low-level exposure to toluene. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1994; 66:309-15. [PMID: 7896415 DOI: 10.1007/bf00378363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The validity of two new biological exposure markers of toluene in blood (TOL-B) and toluene in urine (TOL-U) was examined in comparison with that of the traditional marker of hippuric acid in urine (HA-U) in 294 male workers exposed to toluene in workroom air (TOL-A), mostly at low levels. The exposure was such that the geometric mean for toluene was 2.3 ppm with a maximum of 132 ppm; the workers were also exposed to other solvents such as hexane, ethyl acetate, styrene, and methanol, but at lower levels. The chance of cutaneous absorption was remote. Higher correlation with TOL-A and better sensitivity in separating the exposed workers from the nonexposed subjects were taken as selection criteria. When workers exposed to TOL-A at lower concentrations (< 50 ppm, < 10 ppm, < 2 ppm, etc.) were selected with correlation with TOL-A was examined, TOL-B showed the largest correlation coefficient which was significant even at TOL-A of < 1 ppm, whereas correlation of HA-U was no longer significant when TOL-A was < 10 ppm. TOL-U was between the two extremes. The sensitivities of TOL-B and TOL-U were comparable; HA-U showed the lowest sensitivity. Thus, it was concluded that TOL-B is the indicator of choice for detecting toluene exposure at low levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kawai
- Osaka Occupational Health Service Center, Japan
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12
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Wang G, Maranelli G, Perbellini L, Guglielmi G, Brugnone F. Reference values for blood toluene in the occupationally nonexposed general population. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1993; 65:201-3. [PMID: 8282418 DOI: 10.1007/bf00381156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Blood toluene was measured by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry in 232 occupationally nonexposed subjects, consisting of 126 rural and 106 urban workers, and 37 chemical workers. Mean blood toluene was significantly lower in rural (698 ng/l) and urban workers (984 ng/l) than in chemical workers (2789 ng/l). Blood toluene was not significantly different between the rural and urban workers or among the urban workers with different jobs. Smokers had significantly higher levels (median 606 ng/l) than nonsmokers (median 424 ng/l). Subjects who had smoked at least one cigarette in the last 2 h before blood sampling had significantly higher blood toluene (median 1170 ng/l) than those who had not smoked during this time (median 693 ng/l), for whom the level was not significantly different from that in nonsmokers. Blood toluene in the total population was less than 2863 ng/l in 95% cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico Borgo Roma, Italy
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Kawai T, Yasugi T, Mizunuma K, Horiguchi S, Iguchi H, Uchida Y, Iwami O, Ikeda M. Comparative evaluation of urinalysis and blood analysis as means of detecting exposure to organic solvents at low concentrations. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1992; 64:223-34. [PMID: 1468790 DOI: 10.1007/bf00378279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
One hundred and forty-three workers exposed to one or more of toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, n-hexane, and methanol at sub-occupational exposure limits were examined for the time-weighted average intensity of exposure by diffusive sampling, and for biological exposure indicators by means of analysis of shift-end blood for the solvent and analysis of shift-end urine for the corresponding metabolite(s). Urinalysis was also performed in 20 nonexposed control men to establish the "background level." Both solvent concentrations in blood and metabolite concentrations in urine correlated significantly with solvent concentrations in air. Comparison of blood analysis and urinalysis as regards sensitivity in identifying low solvent exposure showed that blood analysis is generally superior to urinalysis. It was also noted that estimation of exposure intensity on an individual basis is scarcely possible even with blood analysis. Solvent concentration in whole blood was the same as that in serum in the case of the aromatics, except for styrene. It was higher in blood than in serum in the case of n-hexane, and lower in the cases of styrene and methanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kawai
- Osaka Occupational Health Service Center, Japan
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Ng TP, Foo SC, Yoong T. Menstrual function in workers exposed to toluene. BRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE 1992; 49:799-803. [PMID: 1463681 PMCID: PMC1039328 DOI: 10.1136/oem.49.11.799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Rates of menstrual disorders were studied in 231 female production workers with high exposure to toluene (mean 88 (range 50-150 ppm) in a factory manufacturing audio speakers and compared with a control group of 58 female production workers in other departments in the same factory who had little or no exposure to toluene (0-25 ppm). An external community control group of 187 working class women under routine care at public maternal and child health centres were also studied. Detailed menstrual and reproductive histories were obtained by personal interview using a structured questionnaire. The rates for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (cycle irregularity and prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding) were similar in all groups. Dysmenorrhoea seemed to occur more often in the women highly exposed to toluene compared with women at maternal and child health centres, but not compared with factory controls with low exposure to toluene. There was no evidence that dysfunctional uterine bleeding was likely to result from exposure to toluene. It is uncertain whether dysmenorrhoea was associated specifically with exposure to toluene, as other behavioural and work related factors may also result in dysmenorrhoea.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Ng
- Department of Community, Occupational, and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore
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Ng TP, Foo SC, Yoong T. Risk of spontaneous abortion in workers exposed to toluene. BRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE 1992; 49:804-808. [PMID: 1463682 PMCID: PMC1039329 DOI: 10.1136/oem.49.11.804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Rates of spontaneous abortions were determined using a reproductive questionnaire administered by personal interview to 55 married women with 105 pregnancies. They were employed in an audio speaker factory and were exposed to high concentrations of toluene (mean 88, range 50-150 ppm). These rates of spontaneous abortion were compared with those among 31 women (68 pregnancies) who worked in other departments in the same factory and had little or no exposure to toluene (0-25 ppm), as well as with a community control group of women who underwent routine antenatal and postnatal care at public maternal health clinics (190 women with 444 pregnancies). Significantly higher rates for spontaneous abortions were noted in the group with high exposure to toluene (12.4 per 100 pregnancies) compared with those in the internal control group (2.9 per 100 pregnancies) and in the external control group (4.5 per 100 pregnancies). Among the exposed women, significant differences were also noted in the rates of spontaneous abortion before employment (2.9 per 100 pregnancies) and after employment in the factory (12.6 per 100 pregnancies). Almost all the women were nonsmokers and did not drink; other known risk factors such as maternal age at pregnancy, order of gravidity, and race were not likely to explain the results. Thus, specific exposure to toluene seems to be associated with a risk of foetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Ng
- Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore
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Periago JF, Luna A, Morente A, Zambudio A. Design and evaluation of an exhaled breath sampler for biological monitoring of organic solvents. J Appl Toxicol 1992; 12:91-6. [PMID: 1556386 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550120205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We designed a breath sampler based on a tube which collects the final portion of exhaled air. The passage of successive fractions through a layer of activated charcoal is controlled by a three-way valve. This system was validated in a controlled atmosphere of n-hexane and toluene at four concentrations between 12 and 110 mg m-3 and 12 and 115 mg m-3, respectively. Uptake volumes of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.31 were tested at relative humidities of 46% and 98%. There were no significant differences in the recoveries obtained under any of the conditions tested. We confirmed the reproducibility between successive samples in volunteers and exposed workers, and found no significant differences between the different sampling conditions studied. Our system enriches the sample in an adsorbent cartridge by collecting successive fractions of end-exhaled breath from one or more exhalations until the amount required by the analytical method has been accumulated. It is portable, economical and highly operative in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Periago
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Murcia, Spain
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Foo SC, Jeyaratnam J, Koh D. Chronic neurobehavioural effects of toluene. BRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE 1990; 47:480-4. [PMID: 2383518 PMCID: PMC1035211 DOI: 10.1136/oem.47.7.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurobehavioural tests were undertaken by 30 female workers exposed to toluene and matched controls with low occupational exposure to toluene. The environmental air levels (TWA) of toluene was 88 ppm for the exposed workers and 13 ppm for the controls. The toluene in blood concentrations for the exposed workers was 1.25 mg/l and for the controls 0.16 mg/l. Statistically significant differences between workers exposed to toluene and controls in neurobehavioural tests measuring manual dexterity (grooved peg board), visual scanning (trail making, visual reproduction, Benton visual retention, and digit symbol), and verbal memory (digit span) were observed. Further, the performance at each of these tests was related to time weighted average exposure concentrations of air toluene. The workers exposed to toluene had no clinical symptoms or signs. The question arises as to whether these impairments in neurobehavioural tests are reversible or whether they could be a forerunner of more severe damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Foo
- Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore
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