Open AccessExposure to toluene: concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Author(s) -
Anders Carlsson,
E Ljungquist
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.2496
Subject(s) - adipose tissue , toluene , chemistry , subcutaneous adipose tissue , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Twelve male subjects were exposed to a toluene concentration of about 300 mg/m3 in the inspiratory air during rest and/or physical exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Each subject was exposed during four 30-min periods. Before exposure the subjects' body fat was calculated by means of underwater weighing and skeletal measurements. Needle biopsies of subcutaneous adipose tissue were taken up to 12 d after the exposure was concluded. The concentration of toluene in the adipose tissue was determined by gas chromatography after evaporation into nitrogen at a high temperature. After exposure at rest for 2 h, the mean concentration of toluene in adipose tissue was 0.7 mg (7.7 mumol)/kg. The corresponding value after 2 h of work at 50 W was 9.9 mg (109 mumol)/kg. There was a declining concentration of toluene in adipose tissue with an increasing degree of obesity. The half-time for toluene in adipose tissue ranged between 0.5 and 2.7 d. It increased with increasing amounts of body fat.