The presence of 1-naphthol in the urine of industrial workers exposed to naphthalene

Abstract

1-Naphthol at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 34.6 mg/l was found in urine collected directly after the end of the work shift from a group of industrial workers employed in distillation of naphthalene oil. The maximum excretion was found one hour after the end of the shift and the mean excretion rate was 0.57 mg/h. Coke plant workers exposed to naphthalene and other aromatic and polycyclic hydrocarbons also had 1-naphthol in their urine. Mean values were 0.89 mg/l (working with new technology) and 4.86 mg/l (working with old technology) and the excretion rates were 0.19 and 0.31 mg/h respectively. The maximum excretion was shifted to two to three hours after the end of the exposure. For non-exposed subjects the mean urinary 1-naphthol concentration was 120 micrograms/l and the excretion rate was 7.0 micrograms/h.