NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Evaluation of methanol and formate in urine as biological exposure indices of methanol exposure.

Franzblau A; Batterman SA; Zhou N; Stepien CJ; D'Arcy JB; Sargent NE; Gross KB; Schreck RM

Appl Occup Environ Hyg 1997 May; 12(5):367-374

https://doi.org/10.1080/1047322X.1997.10389520

00237296

The use of methanol (67561) and formate in urine as biological exposure indices of methanol exposure was evaluated. Twenty two volunteer subjects underwent controlled exposure to methanol vapor at concentrations up to 400 parts per million (ppm) for approximately 8 hours to simulate a standard work shift. Subjects exercised during alternate 30 minute periods on a cycle ergometer at a minute ventilation rate 100% over baseline during exposure. Urine was collected immediately prior to exposure sessions, during exposures, and immediately following cessation of exposures. Samples were analyzed for methanol, formate, specific gravity, and creatinine. The following biological determinants were examined: total methanol excreted during the shift; mean concentration of methanol excreted during the shift; and concentration of methanol and formate excreted in urine immediately following cessation of exposure. All methanol based parameters were approximately linearly related to exposure concentration, but the results for formate related poorly to exposure. There was considerable interindividual variation in all measured parameters. The authors conclude that overall, measurement of formate in urine was not a useful indicator of individual or group methanol exposures in the range of the permissible exposure limit of 200 ppm. Because of large interindividual variation, methanol in urine would not appear suitable for quantitative assessment of individual exposures, but methanol in urine would appear useful as a semiquantitative or qualitative index of individual exposure, or to assess quantitatively the methanol exposure of a group.

NIOSH-Publication; NIOSH-Grant; Grants-other; Alcohols; Biological-monitoring; Occupational-exposure; Urinalysis; Biochemical-indicators; Short-term-exposure

Environmental & Indust Health University of Michigan 1420 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029

AOEHE9

67-56-1

19970501

Journal Article

363589.00

Grant

1997

Grant-Number-R01-OH-003024

5

1047-322X

Other Occupational Concerns; Grants-other

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

MI

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan