Dynamics of Excretion of Thiodiacetic Acid into Urine in Polyvinyl Chloride Production Workers

Abstract

Background: Thiodiacetic acid (TDAA) is the main metabolite of vinyl chloride (VC) and 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) and its urinary level is correlated with the level of exposure to these chemicals. Objective: To study dynamics of the excretion of TDAA into urine of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production workers. Methods: The study sample consisted of 65 workers of VC and PVC divisions with various time intervals following exposure to the chemicals, 10 shift workers from PVC division, and 34 workers not exposed to the chemicals (control group). Analysis of urinary TDAA was carried out with gas chromatography with mass-selective detector. Results: The concentrations of TDAA in the urine of workers of the VC division and in group of primary occupations who had a high level of exposure to the chemicals, were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of workers of the PVC production division and group of auxiliary professions. The highest levels of TDAA in the urine of workers were found at the beginning of the next shift and during a long break, 24–48 hours after the cessation of the exposure. Conclusion: When conducting biomonitoring studies in PVC production workers, the optimal time for collecting urine samples is at the beginning of the next shift or during a long rest, 24–48 hours after the exposure.

Improvements in protective measures in factories with acetylene hydrochlorination and ethylene oxychlorination techniques declined risk assessment levels and affected liver health status

“…Meshakova et al estimated that employees from several large-scale PVC production plants experienced prolonged exposure to relatively low concentrations of VCM and 1, 2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE). Both of them predominantly affected liver enzymes, forming 2-chloroethylene oxide, monochloroacetic acid, and the conjugated metabolic product of thiodiglycolic (thiodiacetic) acid (TDAA), which tend to be mutagenic and carcinogenic ( 10 ). Particularly, workers from the VCM division were subjected to simultaneous intensive exposure to concentrations of VCM ranging from 2.0 to 14.6 mg·m −3 and of 1,2-DCE from 15.0 to 87.2 mg·m −3 , while those from the PVC division were only exposed to concentrations of VCM ranging from 1.1 to 10.7 mg·m −3 ( 11 ).…”