Assessment of exposure to carbon disulfide in viscose production workers from urinary 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid determinations.
The follow-up of environmental carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure and urinary excretion of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) among 20 operatives over a 4-day working week in two viscose producing factories confirmed earlier observations that TTCA is a sensitive and reliable indicator of exposure to CS2. Exposure to as low as 0.5-1.0 ppm (1.6-3.2 mg/m3) of CS2 (8-hour time-weighted average [TWA]) was associated with detectable amounts of TTCA in end-of-shift urine. Moreover, the excretion of TTCA, relative to estimated CS2 uptake, appeared surprisingly constant in the studied work force. Approximately 3% (range 2-6.5%) of absorbed CS2 was detected in urine as TTCA. The proportional TTCA excretion did not show dose dependency in the estimated CS2 dose range which varied by about 20-fold. TTCA elimination exhibited both a fast (T 1/2 6 hour) and a slow (T 1/2 68 hour) phase. The slow elimination is compatible with a high lipid solubility and reversible protein binding of CS2. Consequently, urinary excretion of TTCA, relative to CS2 exposure, increased by about a third during the workweek. Urinary TTCA concentration of 4.5 mmol/mol creatinine in a postshift sample corresponded to a TWA exposure to 10 ppm CS2 towards the end of the working week.
Riihimäki
V
V
Department of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Kivistö
H
H
Peltonen
K
K
Helpiö
E
E
Aitio
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013783:Textile Industry; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000652:urine*; D053778:Thiazolidines
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D013844:Thiazoles; D053778:Thiazolidines; C031677:2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinecarboxylic acid; D002246:Carbon Disulfide