[The effects of nitroglycol at low concentrations (author's transl)]

In the first experiment of the present study, low concentrations of nitroglycol (ethylene glycol dinitrate) which are doses corresponding to the amounts of occupational exposure, were administered to 13 mongrel dogs and the changes of blood pressure (BP) cardiac output (CO), coronary blood flow (CBF) and femoral blood flow (FBF) were observed. A multichannel square wave electromagnetic blood flowmeter was used to measure the blood flows. After the administration of nitroglycol, fall of BP and increases of CO, CBF and FBF were observed. The increase of CBF were recognized more than 1 microgram of Ng per kg of body weight. As 50-200 micrograms/kg nitroglycol was administered intravenously, although a transient increase of CBF was found, the decrease of CBF for a relatively long period was followed. This fact suggested that a state of disadvantage for the coronary circulation was caused. In the second experiment, nitroglycol concentrations in blood and urine in 22 workers in a dynamite factory were measured by Götell's method. 0-145 ng/ml nitroglycol was detected in the blood after work, with high levels being noted in workers who had frequent exposure to skin absorption. The relationship between the nitroglycol concentration in blood of the workers and the experimental results in dogs was assessed and valuable suggestions concerning further research in the study of chronic exposure to nitroglycol at low concentration were obtained.