Acute effects of exposure to vapours of acetic acid in humans.
Acetic acid is used in plastics, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Despite a widespread use, information of possible health effects is sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute irritation during controlled exposure to vapours of acetic acid. Six female and six male healthy volunteers were exposed to 0 ppm (control exposure), 5 and 10 ppm acetic acid vapour for 2 h at rest in a balanced order. Subjective ratings of nasal irritation and smell increased significantly with exposure level. Except for smell, all average ratings at 10 ppm were at the lower end of the 0-100mm visual analogue scale, and did not exceed the verbal expression "somewhat" (26 mm). No effects on pulmonary function, nasal swelling, nasal airway resistance or plasma inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6), measured before and after exposure, were seen. There was a non-significant tendency to increased blinking frequency, as measured continuously during exposure, after exposure to 10 ppm acetic acid. In conclusion, our study suggests a mild irritative effect at 10 ppm acetic acid.
Work Environment Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Lena.Ernstgard@ki.se
Lena
L
Ernstgård
Anders
A
Iregren
Bengt
B
Sjögren
Gunnar
G
Johanson
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007509:Irritants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D014835:Volatilization
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007509:Irritants; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019342:Acetic Acid