Effects of an external exposure to 200 ppm methyl ethyl ketone on nasal mucosa in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of an acute exposure to 200 ppm methyl ethyl ketone on the nasal mucosa of healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Nineteen healthy non-smoking men were exposed to 200 ppm methyl ethyl ketone and to a sham exposure in an exposure chamber, using a cross-over design. Mucociliary transport time was determined with the saccharine test. Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) were measured in nasal secretions. Subjective symptoms were assessed by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mucociliary transport time was significantly higher (660 vs. 600 s (medians), P = 0.01) after solvent exposure. Concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-8 were insignificantly elevated after exposure (IL-1beta: 83.8 pg/ml vs. 48.1 pg/ml, medians, P = 0.11; IL-8: 14471 pg/ml vs. 11080 pg/ml, P = 0.12), whereas those of IL-6 and TNFalpha remained unchanged. Subjects did not feel any irritation of nasal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Concentrations of organic solvents not exceeding their MAK values can cause subclinical rhinitis. The secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and impairment of mucociliary transport can explain the development of clinical rhinitis in highly exposed subjects.
Muttray
A
A
Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany.
Jung
D
D
Klimek
L
L
Kreiner
C
C
D000328:Adult; D002074:Butanones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020711:Threshold Limit Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D002074:Butanones; D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C005222:methylethyl ketone