2021/09/30 by Brinkmann, Britta, Bartsch, Rüdiger, van Thriel, Christoph +3
#BAT value #BAT‑Wert #Berufliche Exposition #Biologischer Arbeitsstoff-Toleranzwert #Biomonitoring #Gefahrstoff #Hintergrundbelastung #Kohlenmonoxid #Kohlenoxid #Kohlenstoffmonoxid #Toxizität #background exposure #biological tolerance value #biomonitoring #carbon monoxide #carbon oxide #hazardous substance #monoxide of carbon #occupational exposure #toxicity
paper · doi:10.34865/bb63008d6_3ad
The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of carbon monoxide (CO) [630-08-0]. Exercising healthy test persons became significantly faster exhausted at CO exposures resulting in a CO-Hb content of 3.35 to 5.1%. This was only observed with very high physical activity (minute volume of 100 l/min) which is much higher than that assumed to be realistic in workplaces (20 l/min). Moreover, specific parameters such as heart rate, oxygen intake and oxygen partial pressure as well as blood pressure, haemoglobin content and lactate values were unchanged by CO exposure.Adverse neurobehavioural effects in humans were reported in some, but not all, studies at a CO-Hb value of about 5%. Furthermore, in some studies no behavioural effects were described at far higher CO-Hb values of up to 17%. In most studies using within-subject design, which is more meaningful than between-subject design, no behavioural effects were demonstrated. Data from a review indicate that a 10% change in adverse behavioural effects can only be expected at concentrations of 15 to 20% CO-Hb. The current BAT value of 5% CO-Hb is therefore confirmed. The BAT value corresponds to an 8-hour exposure to the current maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 30 ml/m with moderate physical work. It is derived as ceiling value because of acute toxic effects. The BAT value only applies to non-smokers.