Exposure to toluene: uptake, distribution and elimination in man.

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Abstract
Male subjects (12) were exposed to a toluene concentration of .apprx. 300 mg/m3 in the inspiratory air during rest and/or physical exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Each subject was exposed during 4 consecutive 30-min periods. The uptake of toluene was .apprx. 50% of the inspired amount at rest, with a decrease to .apprx. 30% at a work load of 150 W during the 4th period. The total uptake of toluene during 2 h of work at 50 W was .apprx. 2.4 times higher than at rest. There was a close linear correlation between the alveolar and arterial concentrations of toluene, during and after exposure. The means of the exhaled amounts of unchanged toluene during the first 20 h after exposure ranged between 7-14% of the amount taken up. The urinary excretion of hippuric acid indicated an influence of food, especially at low uptake levels.