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Trichloroethylene exposure and trichloroethylene metabolites in urine and blood

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Abstract

After trichloroethylene (Tri) inhalation the metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE) is excreted rapidly in the urine, while trichloroacetic acid (TCA) accumulates in the organism due to a high plasma protein binding rate. After exposure of 5 volunteers to 50 ppm Tri for 6 h, 50 μg/ml TCA is found in the plasma at the end of the 5th exposure day, the amount of TCE present in the blood amounting to not more than 2.3 μg/ml. Instead of the previously used control of TCE + TCA in the urine, it is suggested to determine the metabolites in the blood by means of a gas Chromatographic micro technique which provides a reliable criterion of the preceding Tri exposure.

Zusammenfassung

Nach Trichloräthylen (Tri)-Inhalation wird der Metabolit Trichloräthanol (TCE) rasch im Harn ausgeschieden, während Trichloressigsäure (TCA) infolge starker Bindung an Plasmaeiweiß im Organismus akkumuliert. Nach 6 Std-Exposition von 5 Freiwilligen in 50 ppm Tri werden am Ende des 5. Versuchstages 50 μg/ml TCA im Plasma, aber nur 2,3 μg/ml TCE im Blut gefunden. Statt der bisher üblichen Kontrolle TCE + TCA im Harn wird eine gaschromatographische Mikrobestimmung der Metaboliten im Blut als Kriterium stattgehabter Tri-Exponierung vorgeschlagen.

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Author notes

  1. M. Spassovski

    Present address: Institut für allgemeine Hygiene und Arbeitsschutz, Sofia, Bulgarien

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie der Universität, Würzburg, Germany

    G. Müller, M. Spassovski & D. Henschler

Authors
  1. G. Müller
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  2. M. Spassovski
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  3. D. Henschler
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Additional information

The described study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Müller, G., Spassovski, M. & Henschler, D. Trichloroethylene exposure and trichloroethylene metabolites in urine and blood. Arch. Toxikol. 29, 335–340 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326650

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326650

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