A statistical assessment of the quantitative uptake of vinyl chloride monomer from aqueous solution

The presence of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in foodstuffs and its demonstrated carcinogenic potential when administered by the oral route has raised questions concerning the quantitative estimation of the safety of the use of food packaging fabricated from rigid polyvinyl chloride. A statistical model, which was tested by curve-fitting data obtained from an oral uptake study, has been demonstrated to be of predictive value. Ninety-five percent condifence limits were also calculated, and the data from this study were compared with those from a previous gas phase exposure study. It was concluded that if the total daily liquid intake contained 20 ppm of VCM then the area generated under the blood level-time curve, for rats, would be equivalent to an inhalation exposure of about 2 ppm for 24 hr.