A comparative study of human levels of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene after occupational exposure

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Archives of Environmental Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1991.9937446· OSTI ID:5590695

Skender, L J; Karacic, V; Prpic-Majic, D ^[1]

---

1. Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, University of Zagreb (Yugoslavia)

The rate of trichloroethylene (TRI) and perchloroethylene (PER) absorption was investigated in workers who were (1) occupationally exposed to TRI in four dry-cleaning shops (Group 1, n = 10) and (2) occupationally exposed to PER in one dry-cleaning shop (Group 2, n = 18). Concentrations of TRI and PER in blood were analyzed, and concentrations of trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in blood and urine were analyzed. Results varied widely: PER was found in the blood of workers in group 1, but TRI was not detected in blood from any worker in group 2; most blood samples from group 2 workers did not contain a detectable quantity of TCE, and urine TCE concentrations in this group were very low. During the work week, a significant difference was found in group 1 for TRI in blood and TCE in blood and urine. In group 2, however, the only significant difference during the work week was for PER in blood. Therefore, the most reliable biological indicators for TRI and PER exposure are TCE in blood and PER in blood, respectively.

• OSTI ID: 5590695
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Health; (United States), Vol. 46:3; ISSN 0003-9896
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
METABOLISM
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BLOOD
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology