APPLICATION OF A SINGLE-COMPARTMENT MODEL FOR ESTIMATION OF STYRENE UPTAKE FROM MEASUREMENTS OF URINARY-EXCRETION OF MANDELIC AND PHENYLGLYOXYLIC ACIDS AFTER OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

In biological monitoring of styrene, the exposure is usually related t o the urinary concentration of mandelic (MA) and/or phenylglyoxylic (P GA) acids in a urine sample taken after the workshift or on following morning. To study this relationship further, a single-compartment math ematical model was developed by which measured occupational repetitive uptake of styrene during a working day was related to measured excret ion rates of the urinary metabolites. The model was used in practice t o calculate the unknown uptake (dose) from MA and PGA excretion analyz ed in urine samples. For comparison, a styrene limit dose was calculat ed from the exposure limit. Analytical results of samples from plastic boat builders were compared with the limit values.