Exposure study to examine chemosensory effects of ɛ-caprolactam in healthy men and women

• Verfasst von: Triebig, Gerhard [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Triebig-Heller, Isabel [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Bruckner, Thomas [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Exposure study to examine chemosensory effects of ɛ-caprolactam in healthy men and women
• Verf.angabe: Gerhard Triebig, Isabel Triebig-Heller, Thomas Bruckner
• E-Jahr: 2016
• Jahr: 19 September 2016
• Umfang: 11 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 29.11.2017
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Inhalation toxicology
• Ort Quelle: London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis Group, 1989
• Jahr Quelle: 2016
• Band/Heft Quelle: 28(2016), 12, Seite 561-571
• ISSN Quelle: 1091-7691
• DOI: doi:10.1080/08958378.2016.1227888
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Caprolactam
• Sach-SW: chemosensory effects
• Sach-SW: exposure study
• Sach-SW: eye blinking frequency
• K10plus-PPN: 1565864506

Abstract

Context: ε-Caprolactam is an important industrial chemical with a relatively low human toxicity; of importance is the irritations that occur after exposure to ε-caprolactam as aerosols or vapors.Objective: The aim of this study was to examine symptoms and objective effects, which occur on the mucous membranes of the eyes and the upper respiratory tract.Methods: A total of 52 healthy volunteers (26 women and 26 men, aged between 19 and 50 years) were exposed by random to different ε-caprolactam concentrations (0.05, 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m³) and the control condition (0.0 mg/m³) for 6 h on four consecutive days. Eye blinking frequency, tear film break-up time, eye redness, nasal flows and resistance, olfactory function as well as total protein and interleukin-8 in nasal lavage fluid were determined daily before, during and after exposure. Questionnaires were used to record both subjective symptoms and personality factors.Results: There were no significant specific effects on the subjective and objective endpoints examined. Statistical analysis yielded no evidence of concentration-response relationships. Evaluation of olfactory symptoms showed that the duration of the stay in the chamber and not the ε-caprolactam concentration was decisive for the perception of “impure air”. Personality factors had no significant influence on the reported symptoms.Conclusions: Exposure to ε-caprolactam concentrations of 5.0 mg/m³ at maximum for 6 h did not cause chemosensory effects on the upper respiratory tract or eyes of healthy volunteers. Therefore, the concentration of 5.0 mg/m³ corresponds to the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL).