1‐Chloro‐2,3‐epoxypropane (Epichlorohydrin)
Assessment Values in Biological Material – Translation of the German version from 2017
Thomas Göen1Michael Bader2
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 Hartwig3 (Chair of the Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
MAK Commission4
1 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Henkestraße 9–11, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
2 BASF SE, Corporate Health Management, Carl-Bosch-Straße 38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
3 Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Building 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
4 Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Abstract
The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated EKA (exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances) for epichlorohydrin (CAS‐No 106‐89‐8) in 2017. Available publications are described in detail.
In rodents, epichlorohydrin induces malignant lymphomas, hyperplasias, forestomach papillomas and carcinomas, subcutaneous fibromas and lung and pituitary tumours. Epichlorohydrin was classified in category 2 for carcinogenic substances. The substance can easily pass through the skin, so biological monitoring is indicated for a valid individual risk assessment.
In several biomonitoring studies the mercapturic acids derivatives N‐acetyl‐S‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyl)‐L‐cysteine (CHPMA) and N‐acetyl‐S‐(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl)‐L‐cysteine (DHPMA) in urine as well as the hemoglobin adducts N‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyl)valine and N‐(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl)valine are suggested as biomarkers after epichlorohydrin exposure. Validated analytical procedures for their quantification are available. Data of a correlation of epichlorohydrin in the air and the CHPMA‐excretion in urine were considered for the evaluation of exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or end of shift and after long term exposure at the end of the shift after several shifts.
