1,2-Epoxypropane – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value
Assessment Values in Biological Material – Translation of the German version from 2023
Wobbeke Weistenhöfer1Sandra Michaelsen2
Gerlinde Schriever-Schwemmer2
Hans Drexler1 (Head of the working group “Assessment Values in Biological Material” of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
Andrea Hartwig2 (Chair of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
MAK Commission3
1 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Henkestraße 9–11, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Building 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
3 Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Abstract
In 2012, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide) [75-56-9]. If the MAK value of 2 ml 1,2-epoxypropane/m3 (4.8 mg/m3) is observed, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected. 1,2-epoxypropane was therefore classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. In 2014, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 2500 pmol N-(2-hydroxypropyl)valine/g globin was derived in correlation to the MAK value. As a result, Pregnancy Risk Group C is likewise valid for the BAT value. No prenatal toxic effects are to be expected by compliance with the BAT value of 2500 pg N-(2-hydroxypropyl)valine/g globin.
