2025/01/01 by Hartwig, Andrea, MAK Commission
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Medicine · #1 #2 #3-Dinitrooxypropan-2-yl nitrate #3-Dinitrooxypropan-2-yl-nitrat #3-triyl trinitrate #3-triyltrinitrat #571.95 Toxicology #571.95 Toxikologie #616.9803 Betriebs- und Arbeitsmedizin #616.9803 Industrial and occupational medicine #Atemvolumen #Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment #Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals #Entwicklungstoxizität #Glycerintrinitrat #Glycerol trinitrate #Glyceryl trinitrate #Glyceryltrinitrat #Hautresorption #Luft #MAK value #MAK-Wert #Nitroglycerin #Occupational exposure and asthma #Propan-1 #Propane-1 #air #developmental toxicity #maximale Arbeitsplatzkonzentration #maximum workplace concentration #respiratory volume #skin absorption
paper · doi:10.34865/mb5563d0064_w
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/12/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01
The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the work place (MAK value) and the Pregnancy Risk Group of nitroglycerin [55‐63‐0]. The critical effect in volunteers after a 25‐minute exposure to 0.05 ml/m3 of a mixture of ethylene glycol dinitrate and nitroglycerin was vasodilation, as indicated by the development of headaches or decreases in blood pressure. In workers, headaches were reported at nitroglycerin concentrations of 0.03 to 0.11 ml/m3 with a NOAEC below 0.01 ml/m3 nitroglycerin. Based on this data, the MAK value for nitroglycerin was established at 0.01 ml/m3. As the MAK value is derived from experiences in workers, the increased respiratory volume at the work place is considered. The MAK value also applies to the sum of the concentrations of the three nitrate esters nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate and propylene glycol dinitrate in the air. As systemic effects are critical, the assignment to Peak Limitation Category II and the excursion factor of 1, due to the short half‐life, are retained. In rats, the NOAEL for developmental toxicity after oral application is 86 mg/kg body weight and day. After toxicokinetic scaling this dose corresponds to a concentration of 16 ml/m3 at the work place. The difference of this concentration to the MAK value is sufficient, therefore, nitroglycerin remains assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C. Skin contact may contribute significantly to systemic toxicity and nitroglycerin continues to be designated with an “H”. Sensitization is not expected from the limited data.