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Methylene chloride exposure in industrial workers
S Ghittori1, P Marraccini, G Franco
1Fondazionc Clinica del Lavoro, IRCCS, Medical Centre of Pavia, Italy.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study monitored methylene chloride exposure in factory workers. Environmental and biological monitoring revealed a correlation between workplace methylene chloride levels and worker urine concentration, especially when excluding smokers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Methylene chloride is a widely used industrial solvent.
- Evaluating worker exposure is crucial for workplace safety.
- Monitoring methods need to be sensitive and specific.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess methylene chloride exposure in factory workers.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of environmental and biological monitoring techniques.
- To establish correlations between exposure levels and biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Environmental monitoring using personal passive dosimeters for ambient air sampling.
- Biological monitoring including urinary methylene chloride and alveolar carbon monoxide (CO) levels.
- Analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and portable CO instruments.
Main Results:
- A significant linear correlation was found between environmental methylene chloride and urinary methylene chloride concentrations.
- A correlation between air methylene chloride and alveolar CO was observed in non-smokers.
- No significant correlation was found between CO levels and air methylene chloride in the entire group (including smokers).
Conclusions:
- Urinary methylene chloride is a reliable biomarker for exposure.
- Smoking status can influence biological monitoring results for CO.
- Combined environmental and biological monitoring effectively assesses methylene chloride exposure.