Comparison of the exposure-excretion relationship between men and women exposed to organic solvents

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was initiated to examine if application of the same biological occupational exposure limits (BOELs) for organic solvents is applicable across the sexes. Methods: A survey was conducted in 69 micro-scale enterprises in a furniture-producing industrial park. In practice, 211 men and 52 women participated in the survey. They worked in a series of production process, and were exposed to solvent vapor mixtures. The exposure intensities were monitored with two types of diffusive samplers, one with carbon cloth (for solvents in general) and the other with water (for methyl alcohol) as adsorbents. Solvents in the adsorbents and head-space air from urine samples were analyzed with capillary FID-GC. The measured values were subjected to linear regression analysis followed by statistical evaluation for possible sex-related differences in slopes. Results: Essentially no significant difference was detected between men and women in regression line parameters including slopes. Possible differences in the cases of acetone and toluene were discussed and excluded. Conclusions: With the exceptions for acetone and toluene, the present study did not detect any clear differences between men and women. In examinations of past reports, no support for the observed differences was found. The present findings deserve further study so that a solid conclusion can be formed.