Open AccessBreath concentration as an index of the health risk from benzene. Studies on the accumulation and clearance of inhaled benzene.
Author(s) -
Maths Berlin,
Gage Jc,
Bo Gullberg,
Stina Holm,
Pernilla Knutsson,
Charis Eng,
Anders Tunek
Publication year - 1980
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.2625
Subject(s) - benzene , morning , inhalation , inhalation exposure , chemistry , physiology , occupational exposure , environmental chemistry , toxicology , medicine , anesthesia , environmental health , biology , organic chemistry
Human subjects were exposed to known concentrations of benzene in air for single and repeated daily periods. The breath concentrations measured repeated exposures approached a maximum after 3 d, and this phenomenon indicated that the tissues were approaching saturation under the experimental conditions. The breath concentrations measured after exposure indicated an initial rapid clearance of benzene with a half-time of 2.6 h, followed by a slower phase with a half-time of 24 h. The decay in breath concentration after prolonged occupational exposure appeared to be slower; the difference between the laboratory and industrial studies was, however, not significant. The hygienic significance of these results was discussed, and it was recommended that control measures be employed when a morning breath concentration exceeds 10 ppb.