Tentative Criteria for Assessing Workers Exposure to Toluene by Urinary Toluene Screening

Abstract

This study assessed screening thresholds for determining workers exposure to toluene (Tol) by urinary Tol (Tol-U) and proposed applicable criteria for on-site settings. Participants' urine samples (n = 21) were collected at the end of the workday during the latter half of a week and the Tol-U concentration was assayed. Simultaneously, each worker's exposure dose to Tol in the breathing zone during work, Tol-TWA (time-weighted average), was measured. Tentative criteria were proposed. Level I, less than Tol-U 38 μg/l, has the least chance of exceeding Tol-OEL 50 ppm (occupational exposure limit for Tol recommended by the Japan Society for Occupational Health), probability 95% <. Level II, Tol-U 38-60 μg/l, has a low possibility of exceeding Tol-OEL. Level III, Tol-U 60-110 μg/l, has a high possibility of exceeding Tol-OEL. Level IV, more than Tol-U 110 μg/l, clearly exceeds Tol-OEL, probability 95% <.