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This communication records the toxic effects -aused by tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate in three men employed in its manufacture. Tricresyl phosphate is used in the recovery of phenol residues from gas plant effluents and also as a plasticizer in the plastics industry. A plasticizer is a substance used to render a plastic material more it was nevertheless possible for the men to inhale vapour from the tanks. The cold tricresyl phosphate is of low volatility, having a low vapour pressure at ordinary temperature. The ortho-isomer content of the finished product was about 60 per cent. The three affected men also handled triphenyl phosphate.It was not possible at the time the men were poisoned to determine the concentration of tricresyl phosphate which was present in the atmosphere. This, however, was estimated at a later date when conditions were arranged to reproduce those in operation at the time. The injectors, fans and air conditioning plant were shut off, the covers of the washing vats left open, and the water drained from the cooler. The determinations were carried out during daytime, and also during simulated and actual black-out conditions. The highest concentration of tricresyl phosphate was found in the room containing the washing vats after the hot liquid had been blown over from the reaction vessels into the washing vats. Twenty litres of atmosphere were aspirated through an absorption train for 16 to 30 minutes, commencing 5-10 minutes before the end of the delivery of hot liquid. The absorption train consisted of 2 bubblers, each containing 100 mls. of alcohol, followed by 2 tubes packed with glass wool and cotton wool respectively. Over 90 per cent. of the tricresyl phosphate was found in the first bubbler, the remainder in the second, and none in the wools. The tricresyl phosphate was determined by estimating colorimetrically the P205 produced by its decomposition.

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