Metabolism of triethylamine in polyurethane foam manufacturing workers

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700160304· OSTI ID:5465759

Akesson, B; Skerfving, S; Stahlbom, B L; Lundh, T ^[1]

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1. University Hospital, Lund (Sweden)

In 20 workers studied before, during, and after exposure to triethylamine (TEA) in a polyurethane-foam producing plant the amount of TEA and its metabolite triethylamine-N-oxide (TEAO) excreted in urine corresponded to an average of 80% of the inhaled amount. An average of 27% was TEAO, but with a pronounced interindividual variation. Older subjects excreted more than younger ones; less than 0.3% was excreted as diethylamine. The data indicate half-lives for TEA and TEAO excretion in urine of about 3 hr. The postshift level of TEA in urine and plasma are good indicators of the time-weighted average air level during the preceding work day, and might thus be used for biological monitoring. An air level of 10 mg/m3 (proposed occupational standard) corresponds to a urinary excretion of 65 mmol TEA/mol creatinine and a plasma level of 1.9 mumol/liter (biological exposure indices).

• OSTI ID: 5465759
• Journal Information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA), Journal Name: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA) Vol. 16:3; ISSN 0271-3586; ISSN AJIMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AMINES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MATERIALS
METABOLISM
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERSONNEL
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLLUTION
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
POLYURETHANES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS