Metabolism of triethylamine in polyurethane foam manufacturing workers.
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).
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Akesson
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Skerfving
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Ståhlbom
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Lundh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005021:Ethylamines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005021:Ethylamines; D011140:Polyurethanes; C056207:triethylamine-N-oxide; C016162:triethylamine