Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) occupational exposure. 1. Biomonitoring by analysis of PGME in urine.

An analytical method was developed for the determination of free and conjugated PGME-alpha in urine. The method involves a solid-phase extraction on LC-18 columns and a GC/FID analysis after derivatization with trimethysilylimidazole. The assay was linear (least-squares regression coefficient 0.996), specific, reproducible (intraassay variability 10%, interassay variability 10%), and allowed a high level of PGME recovery (more than 90%). The assay was applied to the analysis of urine samples from three workers who were occupationally exposed to PGME to estimate their exposure. The highest value of PGME concentration in urine was 7.78 mg/l. Air concentrations of PGME ranged between 20 and 40 ppm. A statistically significant correlation was found between measurements of external exposure and PGME in urine. An important fraction of PGME in urine was found to be conjugated.

Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) exposure. 2. Identification of products containing PGME, their importance and their use in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: In order to identify users of PGME and potential exposures, a chemical registration database maintained in Switzerland was analysed. METHOD: The database contains information on the composition of products (qualitative and quantitative), the field of use, the year of registration and the domain of commercial applications (public or professional). RESULTS: Identification of potential exposures in Switzerland was carried out. Out of a total of 150,000 products, 2334 were found to contain PGME and most contained between 1% and 10% PGME. There was a great increase in the number of products declared between 1983 and 1991. The principal fields of use were in inks, varnishes and paints.