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Trichloroethylene exposure in vapour degreasing and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase

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Abstract

In order to elucidate the potential nephrotoxicity of low level occupational exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI), urine analysis of the tubular enzyme N-acetyl-β-dglucosaminidase (U-NAG) was included in a cross-sectional study of metal degreasers in central Sweden. Eightysix percent of 8-h TRI in air measurements were well below 50 mg/m3. Normal levels of NAG were found in morning urine samples from 29 workers compared to a historical reference group. A weak positive correlation (r = 0.48;P <0.01) was observed between U-NAG activity and the concentration of the TRI metabolite trichloroacetic acid in urine but not with other estimates of recent or long-term exposure. In conclusion, TRI does not seem to be nephrotoxic at low exposure levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Medicine, Örebro Medical Center Hospital, S-701 85, Örebro, Sweden

    Anders Seldén, Arne Ulander & Gunnar Ahlborg Jr

  2. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, S-221 85, Lund, Sweden

    Björn Hultberg

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  1. Anders Seldén
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  2. Björn Hultberg
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  3. Arne Ulander
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  4. Gunnar Ahlborg Jr
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Seldén, A., Hultberg, B., Ulander, A. et al. Trichloroethylene exposure in vapour degreasing and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase. Arch Toxicol 67, 224–226 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01973312

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01973312

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