Summary
Absorption of ethylbenzene and excretion of mandelic acid were investigated under controlled conditions in six volunteers, exposed at concentrations of 18, 34, 80, and 200 mg/m3. Retention of ethylbenzene vapours in the lungs was 49 ± 5%. Elimination of mandelic acid was found to be biphasic, with biological half-life values of 3.1 and 24.5 h. Total excreted mandelic acid accounts for 55 ± 2% of retained ethylbenzene. The results obtained were applied to devise an exposure test for ethylbenzene, which would enable the precise evaluation of exposure at low ethylbenzene, vapour concentrations (± 13%). Exposures, carried out dermally, gave a rationale for the exclusion of the skin as a route of entry of ethylbenzene vapours into the body.
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Gromiec, J.P., Piotrowski, J.K. Urinary mandelic acid as an exposure test for ethylbenzene. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 55, 61–72 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378068
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378068