Observations on pentachlorophenol in human blood and urine.

Abstract

Abstract Urine concentrations of pentachlorophenol (PGP) in occupationally exposed people have been examined (a) over a period of about a year, (b) in a 10-day period of daily sampling, (c) before and after absences from the job, and (d) in relation to blood concentrations of PGP during a 3-month period. The urinary excretion of PCP after a single respiratory exposure of two subjects is reported. It was concluded that the respiratory tract is a significant mode of exposure to PCP by workers, and it was noted that there are probably differences in excretion kinetics between single low-level exposures and chronic higher level exposures. It is suggested that binding to plasma constituents (protein) occurs and that an appreciable PCP compartment occurs in tissues. It is postulated that excretion rates after inhalation are dependent not only on exposure levels but on the steady state relationship of PCP concentration in lung, blood, plasma protein and tissue depots.