Urinary excretion of chlorinated phenols in saw-mill workers

The excretion and conjugation of chlorophenols were studied in workers exposed to 2,4,6-tri-, 2,3,4,6-tetra-, and pentachlorophenolates, the main components of the chlorophenolate product manufactured by direct chlorination of phenol. The workers were exposed in two different saw mills in which sodium chlorophenolate was used for treatment of lumber during the warm season. Urine specimens were collected at the end of the treatment season as well as at the start of a new treatment period in the spring. Serum specimens were collected towards the end of the treatment period. Total and unconjugated chlorophenols were analyzed with a gas chromatographic method. The maximal concentrations of urinary 2,4,6-tri-, 2,3,4,6-tetra- and pentachlorophenol at the end of the lumber-treatment period were 1-11.8, 3.4-17.3, and 0.2-0.9 mumol/l, respectively, and the average apparent half-times calculated using a one-compartment model were 18 h, 4.3 days and 16 days, respectively. For 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, the data of some subjects showed a better fit with a two-compartment model; the corresponding half-times were 5.3 and 26 days. During the continuous-exposure period the average serum levels of tetra- and pentachlorophenol were rather similar before and after the working day: 2.79 +/- 1.78 mumol/l for tetrachlorophenol and 0.85 +/- 0.4 mumol/l for pentachlorophenol. Renal clearance values for tetra- and pentachlorophenol were related to urine flow and indicated tubular reabsorption. At low concentrations, sulfate conjugation was dominant. With increasing chlorophenol concentrations the proportion of glucuronide conjugation was increased, especially for pentachlorophenol.