Biological monitoring of workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2) in a viscose rayon fibers factory

The exposure-excretion relationship to carbon disulfide (CS2) vapor in 407 exposed workers was studied during the second half of the working week. Carbon disulfide concentrations were also determined in 50 nonexposed subjects. The geometric mean value for CS2 in urine samples from the latter was: 0.23 μg/l (95% upper limit = 0.52 μg/l) when log-normal distribution was assumed. Among the exposed workers, the CS2 level in urine samples collected after the first half shift exceeded the 95% upper limit of nonexposed subjects in every case. The time-weighted average intensity of exposure to CS2 vapor was measured using personal diffusive samplers (in which carbon cloth served as an adsorbent). CS2 concentrations in urine were determined in samples collected at the end of the first half shift from the 407 exposed cases as well as from 50 nonexposed controls. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between the exposure to CS2 vapor at concentrations of up to 64 mg/m3 and the levels of CS2 measured in the urine samples after four hours of exposure. The correlation indicated that a mean level of 15.5 μg CS2/l urine (95% confidence range, 13.8–17.1 μg/l) was excreted following an exposure to CS2 at 31 mg/m3 (the current occupational exposure limit). Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:478–484, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.