Open AccessEthylene oxide doses in ethene-exposed fruit store workers.
Author(s) -
Tongmei Ma,
Almberg Jg,
Bergmark En,
Svante Nilsson,
Osterman-Golkar Sm
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1829
Subject(s) - ethylene oxide , ethylene , adduct , chemistry , hemoglobin , oxide , valine , medicinal chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , amino acid , catalysis , polymer , copolymer
Blood samples from 10 ethene-exposed fruit store workers and 10 referents were analyzed for the level of hydroxyethyl adducts to N-terminal valine in hemoglobin (Hb). A statistically significant difference was obtained between the nonsmoking workers (N = 7) and the nonsmoking referents (N = 6). This finding demonstrates that ethene is metabolized to ethylene oxide in man. According to this preliminary study, ethene exposure at 0.3 (uncertainty range 0.1-1) ppm during work hours increases the adduct level by 23 pmol/g Hb. This figure is compatible with a metabolic conversion of 3% (1-10%) of the inhaled ethene to ethylene oxide.