Tentative criteria for assessing workers exposure to toluene by urinary toluene screening.
This study assessed screening thresholds for determining workers exposure to toluene (Tol) by urinary Tol (Tol-U) and proposed applicable criteria for on-site settings. Participants' urine samples (n = 21) were collected at the end of the workday during the latter half of a week and the Tol-U concentration was assayed. Simultaneously, each worker's exposure dose to Tol in the breathing zone during work, Tol-TWA (time-weighted average), was measured. Tentative criteria were proposed. Level I, less than Tol-U 38 microg/l, has the least chance of exceeding Tol-OEL 50 ppm (occupational exposure limit for Tol recommended by the Japan Society for Occupational Health), probability 95% <. Level II, Tol-U 38-60 microg/l, has a low possibility of exceeding Tol-OEL. Level III, Tol-U 60-110 microg/l, has a high possibility of exceeding Tol-OEL. Level IV, more than Tol-U 110 microg/l, clearly exceeds Tol-OEL, probability 95% <.
Asakawa
Fumiyuki
F
Department of Health and Sports Science, College of Life Science, Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, 2640 Nishinoura, Tsurajima-cho, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama 712-8505, Japan.
Hirao
Tomohiro
T
Suna
Shigeru
S
Kureha
Akinori
A
Jitsunari
Fumihiko
F
D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*
D014050:Toluene