Addendum to Aluminium [BAT Value Documentation, 2009]. Issue 1 (28th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Letzel, S.; Drexler, H.; Hartwig, A.
• Is Part Of: MAK collection for occupational health and safety. Volume 1:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 269
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28
• Subjects: aluminium -- occupational exposure -- biological tolerance value -- BAT value -- toxicity; Biological monitoring -- Periodicals; Industrial toxicology -- Periodicals; Hazardous substances -- Periodicals; 615.902
• DOI: 10.1002/3527600418.bb742990vere1615
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2509-2383

Abstract

Abstract : The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the biological tolerance value at the work place (BAT value) for aluminium. In persons with workplace‐related aluminium exposure, central nervous effects and lung effects were observed. The former BAT‐value was evaluated on a linear correlation between external and internal exposure to aluminium at the MAK value of 6 mg/m 3 (measured as fine dust). The lowering of the MAK value to 1.5 mg/m 3 (respirable fraction) and 4 mg/m 3 (inhalable fraction) made re‐evaluation of the BAT value necessary. The present MAK value of 1.5 mg/m 3 serves as a correlate for this reevaluation. Investigations by Mussi et al. (1984), Sjögren et al. (1988) as well as Letzel and Roßbach (2008) indicate that a total dust concentration of 1.5 mg/m 3 corresponds to a urinary aluminium concentration in the range of about 50–66 μg aluminium/g creatinine. Thus, a BAT‐value of 60 µg aluminium/g creatinine was established. The creatinine‐related urinary excretion is used as biological parameter, because urinary aluminium concentrations related to creatinine show closer correlations to the airborne aluminium exposure than volume‐related urinary aluminium concentrations. No restrictions apply for the time of sampling taking account of the long biological half‐life after cumulative aluminium exposure.