Summary
The use of a photoionisationdetector (PID) for measurement of alveolar concentrations of gases and vapours was evaluated during a human exposure experiment with toluene. Two other methods, the standard gas-pipette method and the gasbag/charcoal method, was tested for comparison. The best method appeared to be the PID-method. The major disadvantage in using this instrument was the missing selectivity towards individual compounds in a mixed atmosphere. In all other respects, the method is just as good as or better than the standard gaspipette method and the gasbag method. Results from 40 measurements with the three methods on 16 persons were examined statistically, and the average toluene absorption at 100 ppm exposure levels was estimated to be 1.6 mg/min.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ACGIH (1978) Air sampling instruments, 5th edn. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Altman PL, Dittmer DS (1971) Respiration and circulation. Federation of Am Soc Exp Biol, p 36 and pp 64–65
Andersen I, Lundqvist GR, Mølhave L, Pedersen OF, Proctor DF, Wyon DP (1983) Human responses to controlled levels of toluene in seven hours exposure. Scand J Work Environm Health 9:405–418
Cohr K-H, Stockholm J (1979a) Eksponering of mennesker for mineralsk terpentin III +IV: Koncentrationer i alveoleluft og veneblod under bygnings-malerarbejde. Rapport 2 og 3/ 1979, Arbejdstilsynet, København
Cohr K-H, Stockholm J (1979b) Eksponering of mennesker for mineralsk terpentin II: Analysemetoder. Rapport 2/1979. Arbejdstilsynet, København
Comroe JH, Forster RE, Bu Bois AB, Brescoe WA, Carlsen E (1962) The lung. Clinical physiology and pulmonary function test. Chicago
Driscoll JN (1977) Evaluation of a new photoionization detector for organic compounds. J Chromatography 134:49–55
Pasquini DA (1978) Evaluation of glass sampling tubes for industrial breath analysis. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 39:55–62
Sherwood RJ, Carter FWG (1970) The measurement of occupational exposure to benzene vapour. Ann Occup Hyg 13:125–146
Stewart RD (1974a) Biological standards for the industrial worker by breath analysis. Trichloroethylene. Contract No. HSM 99-72-82. NIOSH, 26-34-1974
Stewart RD (1974b) The use of breath analyses in clinical toxicology. In: Hayes W (ed) Essays in toxicology, vol 5. Academic Press, Oxford, New York, p 121
Stewart RD, Hake CL, Wu A (1976) Use of breath analysis to monitor methylene chloride exposure. Scand J Work Environ Health 2:57–70
Veulemans H, Masschelein R (1978) Experimental human exposure to toluene. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 42:91–103
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mølhave, L., Pedersen, O.F. Measurements of alveolar concentrations of toluene. Int Arch Occup Environ Heath 54, 65–71 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378729
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378729