Conclusions
In conclusion, it must be stressed that scientific studies need to be undertaken in the near future to solve the various problems mentioned above. These studies should also take account of all the non-occupational factors that, may alter the toxicokinetics and the toxicodynamics of solvents. At present, however, existing data obtained both from experimental research in animals and in volunteers and from studies carried out in workers liable to occupational exposure can be used in preparing lists similar to those we have proposed in Table 1, in which metabolic interferences are reported for the various substances. Although incomplete and only indicative, these lists may be a useful guide to the correct preventive measures to be implemented in various workplace situations. They should, at the very least, stimulate readers to extend their knowledge of the toxicology of combined exposure to solvents.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ACGIH (1994) Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices for 1994–1995. Cincinnati
Alessio L, Apostoli P, Crippa M (1994) Multiple exposure to solvents and metals. Occup Hyg 1:127–151
Alessio L, Apostoli P, Crippa M (1995) Influence of individual factors and personal habits on the levels of biological indicators of exposure. Toxicol Lett 77:93–103
Ballantyne B (1985) Evaluation of hazards from mixtures of chemicals in the occupational environment. J Occup Med 27: 85–94
van Dormolen M, Hertog CAWM, van Dijk FJH, Kompier MAJJ, Fortuin R (1990) The quest for interaction: studies on combined exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 62:279–287
DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft: MAK and BAT values 1995, VCH Distribution, Weinheim (Germany)
Engstrom K, Riihimaki V, Laine A (1984) Urinary disposition of ethylbenzene and m-Xylene in man following separate and combined exposure. Int Arch Occup Envir Health 54:355–363
Ferioli A, Buizza P, Apostoli P, Soave C, Alessio L (1990) Interazioni metaboliche tra acetone e stirene in lavoratori del comparto vetro-resine. Esposizione a stirene, Capodaglio E, Manzo L (eds). La Goliardica, Pavia, pp 113–124
Ikeda M (1995) Exposure to complex mixtures: implication for biological monitoring. Toxicol Lett 77:9–14
Inoue O, Seiji K, Watanabe T, Kasahara M, Nakatsuka H, Yin S, Li G, Cai S, Jin C, Ikeda M (1988) Mutual metabolic suppression between benzene and toluene in man. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 60:15–20
Inoue O, Seiji K, Nakatsuka h, Watanabe T, Yin S, Li G, Cai S, Jin C, Ikeda M (1989) Urmary t, t-muconic acid as an indicator of exposure to benzene. Brit Ind Med 46:122–127
Jacubowski M, Kostrzewski P (1986) Excretion of methylbenzoic acid in urine as a result of single and combined exposure to m-xylene. Pol J Occup Med 2:238–247
Kawai T, Yasugi T, Mizunuma K, Horiguchi S, Morioka I, Miyashita K, Uchida Y, Ikeda M (1992) Monitoring of workers exposed to a mixture of toluene, styrene and methanol vapours by means of diffusive air sampling, blood analysis and urine analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 63:428–435
Korn M, Gfrorer W, Herz R, Wodarz I, Wodarz R (1992) Stereometobolism of ethylbenzene in man: gas chromatographic determination of urinary excreted mandelic acid enantiomers and phenylglyoxlic acid and their relation to the height of occupational exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 64: 75–78
Liira J, Riihimaki V, Engstrom K, Plaffli P (1988) Coexposure of man to m-xylene and methylethyl ketone. Scand Work Environ Health 14:322–327
Ogata M, Fiserova-Bergerova V, Droz PO (1993) Biological monitoring VII. Occupational exposures to mixtures of industrial chemicals. Appl Occup Environ Hygiene 8:609–617
Ogata M, Tomokuni K, Takatsuka (1970) Urinary excretion of hippuric acid and m-or p-methylhyppuric acid in the urine of persons exposed to vapours of toluene and m-or p-xylene as a test of exposure. Brit J Ind Med 27:43–50
Perbellini L, Bartolucci GB, Brugnone F, De Rosa E, Valentini F (1985) II 2,5 esandione nel controllo biologico dell'esposizione professionale a n-esano. Med Lavoro 76:35–43
Sato A (1991) The effect of environmental factors on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of organic solvent vapours. Ann Occup Hygiene 35:525–541
Sato A, Nakajima T (1979) Dose-dependent metabolic interaction between benzene and toluene in vivo and in vitro. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 48:249–256
Savolainen K, Riihimaki V, Laina A, Kekoni J (1981) Short term exposure of human subjects to m-xylene and 1,1,1-trychloroethane. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 49:89–98
Seiji K, Inoue O, Jin C, Liu Yt, Cai SX, Ohashi M, Watanabe T, Nakatsuka H, Kawai T, Ikeda M (1989) Dose-excretion relationship in tetrachloroethylene exposed workers and the effect of tetrachloroethylene co-exposure on trichloroethylene metabolism. Am J Ind 16:675–684
Stewart RD, Hake CL (1976) Paint remover hazard. J Am Med Assoc 235:398–401
Takeuchi Y, Hisanaga N, Ono Y, Shibata E, Saito I, Iwata M Modification of metabolism and neurotoxicity of n-hexane by co-exposure of toluene. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 65: S227–230
Tardif R (1991) Effect of simultaneous exposure to toluene and xylene on their respective biological exposure indices in humans. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 63:279–284
Tardif R, Goyal R, Brodeur J (1992) Assessment of occupational health risk from multiple exposure: review of industrial solvent interaction for biological monitoring of exposure. Toxicol Ind Health 8:37–52
Tolos W, Setzer J, Mackenzie B, Lowry L, Dick R (1987) Biological monitoring of experimental human inhalation exposures of methyl ethyl ketone and toluene. Biological monitoring of exposure to chemicals organic compounds. In: Ho MH, Dillon HK (eds) Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 133–142
Wallen M, Holm S, Byfalt Nordqvist B (1985) Coexposure to toluene and p-xylene in man: uptake and elimination. Brit J Ind Med 42:111–116
Wigaeus E, Lof A, Byfalt Nordqvist M (1984) Uptake, distribution, metabolism and elimination of styrene in man. A comparison between single exposure and co-exposure with acetone. Brit J Ind Med 41:539–546
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alessio, L. Multiple exposure to solvents in the workplace. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 69, 1–4 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02630731
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02630731