Arsenic Trioxide Absorption and Excretion in Industry

Abstract

A study of 24 smelter workers routinely exposed to arsenic trioxide was conducted to evaluate some characteristics of its absorption and excretion. A statistically significant correlation was found between airborne arsenic trioxide concentrations below 300 .mu.g/m3 and urinary As values below 500 .mu.g/l. These men wore personal minitors for 5 consecutive work days and were determined to have been exposed to average airborne As concentrations of 53 .mu.g/m3 (70 .mu.g/m3 of arsenic trioxide) which increased their urinary As values from 152 .mu.g/l to 200 .mu.g/l (an average gain of 32%). The background average urinary As value for adult males not exposed to arsenic trioxide in industry was determined to be 52.6 .mu.g/l for 204 men during preemployment examinations. After removal from industrial arsenic trioxide exposure, the rate of fall in urinary As values varies with the magnitude of the urinary As level. An initial decrease of 9.5% per day was measured for workers having urinary As values below 200 .mu.g/l. The initial decrease is about 21% per day for workers with urinary As values > 600 .mu.g/l. As in seafood [e.g., shrimp, fish] can alter in a dramatic fashion the urinary As values determined for smelter workers within 24 h following consumption. The absorption of arsenic trioxide due to industrial exposure is best evaluated from urine samples collected at least 2 days after seafood has been eaten.