The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated biological reference values (BAR) for selenium [7782-49-2] in plasma and in urine to characterise the internal exposure. Selenium is an essential trace element, which is incorporated in considerable amounts by nutrition. Occupational exposure can lead to an additional selenium uptake. Its metabolism and distribution behaviour are complex. In plasma most selenium is bound to proteins and demonstrates...

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a well-established tool in occupational medicine, particularly for the prevention of health effects after chronic exposure. However, there are also exceptional short-term exposures or accident-related events which require a toxicological risk assessment. The German Permanent Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area deliberated and summarised basic information and recommendations on human biomonitoring after acute exposure. The design and implementation of sampling procedures, e. g....

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated trichloroacetic acid [76-03-9] and sodium trichloroacetate [650-51-1] to derive a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), considering all toxicity endpoints. Available publications are described in detail. After oral application of trichloroacetic acid or the sodium salt, the target organ is the liver with mice being more susceptible than rats. Trichloroacetic acid can be regarded as non-genotoxic....

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated peracetic acid [79-21-0] considering all toxicological end points. Peracetic acid is commercially available only in aqueous solutions, in which it exists in equilibrium with hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. Therefore, all three substances contribute to toxicity. No specific systemic effects were observed, which is plausible because peracetic acid immediately oxidizes the tissues at the point of contact...

The working group “Analyses in Biological Materials” of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area developed and verified the presented biomonitoring method.The method described herein enables the selective and quantitative determination of geraniol metabolites in human urine into the concentration range relevant for environmental exposure. The following four metabolites can be determined using this method: 8‑carboxygeraniol, Hildebrandt acid, geranic acid, and 3‑hydroxycitronellic acid. Hildebrandt acid,...

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated data for 2-butanethiol [513-53-1] considering all toxicological end points. Data from a 90-day inhalation study with rats show that the critical effects are haematotoxicity and histopathological alterations in the nasal olfactory epithelium. On the basis of the NOAEC of 25 ml/m for systemic toxicity and taking into account the increased respiratory volume at the workplace, the maximum...

Kapitel des Online Lehrbuch der Medizinischen Psychologie und Medizinischen Soziologie

Kapitel des Online Lehrbuch der Medizinischen Psychologie und Medizinischen Soziologie

Kapitel des Online Lehrbuch der Medizinischen Psychologie und Medizinischen Soziologie

Kapitel des Online Lehrbuch der Medizinischen Psychologie und Medizinischen Soziologie

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of carbon monoxide (CO) [630-08-0]. Exercising healthy test persons became statistically significantly faster exhausted at CO exposures resulting in a CO-Hb content of 3.35 to 5.1%. This was only observed with very high physical activity (minute volume of 100 l/min) which is much higher than that assumed to be realistic in...