Respiratory measurements of occupational exposure to industrial solvents

The authors report the parameters which rule the absorption and elimination of polluting solvent vapours in exposed subjects (Ventilation, Pulmonary Capillary Flow, Solubility Coefficients, Environmental Concentrations, Exposure Times). These parameters are included in the equations showing the absorption and elimination indexes and lung clearances. Some methods to measure the Solubility Coefficients of inert gases in biological media and the values referring to 51 industrial solvents, commonly employed or important from the toxicological point of view, are described. Finally the Authors report some experimental results obtained in exposure chamber on volunteers, and in occupationally exposed subjects directly in workplaces. The results are discussed stressing their practical usefulness in the field of biological monitoring, industrial hygiene and in preventive medicine.