Diazo-positive metabolites in urine from workers exposed to aromatic nitro-amino compounds.
The amount of diazo-positive compounds in urine from workers at a chemical plant producing pharmaceuticals and explosives was determined in samples collected after work and after a holiday. Forty-five persons working with aromatic nitro-amino compounds (ANA) showed a statistically significant (p less than 0.01) increase in the exposed samples (1.21 +/- 1.40 mmol/mol creatinine) compared to the unexposed samples (0.56 +/- 0.31 mmol/mol creatinine). No increase in the level of diazo-positive metabolites was found in the 25 workers not exposed to ANA compounds. In a follow-up study, 32 trinitrotoluene (TNT) workers were divided into three exposure categories and seemed to show a dose-dependent increase in the level of urinary diazo-positive metabolites. However, there was a considerable interindividual variation. The method seems suitable for the biological assessment of exposure to ANA compounds--at least on a group level. This may be valuable, especially in situations where significant dermal uptake is expected.
Ahlborg
G
G
Department of Occupational Medicine, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Regionsjukhuset, Sweden.
Ulander
A
A
Bergström
B
B
Oliv
A
A
D000588:Amines / Q000652:urine*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003979:Diazonium Compounds; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000652:urine
D000588:Amines; D003979:Diazonium Compounds; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D014303:Trinitrotoluene