N-Hexane metabolism in occupationally exposed workers. Issue 4 (November 1984)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mutti, A; Falzoi, M; Lucertini, S; Arfini, G; Zignani, M; Lombardi, S; Franchini, I
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 41:Issue 4(1984)
• Page Start: 533
• Page End: 538
• Publication Date: 1984-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.41.4.533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Lung uptake and excretion of n-hexane were studied in ten workers in a shoe factory. Simultaneous samples of inhaled and alveolar air were collected with the aid of a Rhan-Otis valve, personal samplers, and charcoal tubes. Alveolar excretion was monitored during a six hour postexposure period. Uptake was calculated from lung ventilation, the retention coefficient, and environmental concentrations. The amount of exhaled n-hexane was calculated from the decay curve. According to the experimental data, alveolar retention was about 25% of the inhaled n-hexane, corresponding to a lung uptake of about 17%. The postexposure alveolar excretion was about 10% of the total uptake. The main metabolites of n-hexane were identified and measured by capillary GC/MS in spot urine samples collected before, at the end, and 15 hours after the same working shift. Urinary concentrations were low, though related to n-hexane in the air. 2, 5-Hexanedione in the end of shift samples gave the best estimate of overall exposure. About 3 mg/g creatinine of 2, 5-hexanedione would correspond to about 50 ppm of n-hexane in the air (mean daily exposure).