Abstract
Groups of 5 to 6 volunteers each participated in three experimental series involving inhalation of analytically controlled trichloroethylene concentrations for 6 h daily on 5 successive week days: (a) 50 ppm constant, (b) 250 ppm for 12min/h (high peak concentrations, average 50 ppm); (c) 100 ppm constant. The trichloroethanol (TCE) levels in the blood were determined 3 times daily, the TCE and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) levels in the urine twice daily by means of gas Chromatographic (TCE) and colorimetric (TCA) techniques. It was seen that TCE accumulates in the blood from day to day reaching maximum values of (a) 2.0 μg/ml, (b) 2.5 μg/ml, or (c) 5.0 μg/ml; the half life of TCE in the blood was 12 h in each case. After a single dose of 15 mg/kg chloral hydrate (normal hypnotic dose) TCE reached levels of approx. 7 μg/ml within 1 h; the pattern of elimination was identical to that obtained after Tri inhalation. The maximum TCE value after 100 ppm Tri coincides with that obtained 2 to 2 1/2 h after ingestion of chloral hydrate. There are some data in the literature indicating that such TCE levels reduce the performance ability in vigilance tests. The formation and accumulation of TCE probably is responsible for the “psycho-organic syndrome” encountered during occupational exposure to Tri. On inhalation of Tri for several days the urinary excretion of TCE and TCA does not follow certain rules which may be derived from single experiments (for instance, 6 h-inhalations). It would appear, therefore, that the procedures described in the literature for assessment of Tri exposure on the basis of TCE and/or TCA excretion are subject to revision.
Published Version
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