Breath concentration as an index of the health risk from benzene. Studies on the accumulation and clearance of inhaled benzene.
Open Access
- 1 June 1980
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health in Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
- Vol. 6 (2) , 104-111
- https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2625
Abstract
Human subjects were exposed to known concentrations of benzene [a carcinogen] in air for single and repeated daily periods. The breath concentrations measured during repeated exposures approached a maximum after 3 days, 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 was slower; the difference between the laboratory and industrial studies was not significant. The hygienic significance of these results is discussed, and it is recommended that control measures be employed when a morning breath concentration exceeds 10 ppb.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Ideal Alveolar Air and the Analysis of Ventilation-Perfusion Relationships in the LungsJournal of Applied Physiology, 1949