Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds (with the exception of arsine) – Addendum: Re-evaluation of BLW and EKA

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances (EKA) as well as the biological guidance value (BLW) for arsenic [7440-38-2] and inorganic arsenic compounds with the exception of arsine. Recent findings on formation and renal excretion of the arsenic metabolite dimethylarsinic acid suggest substantial alimentary influence on this parameter, which has been used as biomarker besides other metabolites. In order to increase the diagnostic reliability, EKA were derived without the use of dimethylarsinic acid as marker for internal exposure, taking into account now the metabolites arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. Furthermore, the range of the EKA was extended to concentrations below 1 μg/m3. Analogous to the EKA derivation, the BLW was re-evaluated based on the renal excretion of the species arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. To prevent peripheral neuropathy as the most critical systemic toxic effect besides carcinogenicity, an average concentration of 10 μg/l for the sum of arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and mono-methylarsonic acid should not be exceeded in post shift urine samples

Arsen und anorganische Arsenverbindungen (mit Ausnahme von Arsenwasserstoff) – Addendum: Reevaluierung von BLW und EKA

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances (EKA) as well as the biological guidance value (BLW) for arsenic [7440-38-2] and inorganic arsenic compounds with the exception of arsine. Recent findings on formation and renal excretion of the arsenic metabolite dimethylarsinic acid suggest substantial alimentary influence on this parameter, which has been used as biomarker besides other metabolites. In order to increase the diagnostic reliability, EKA were derived without the use of dimethylarsinic acid as marker for internal exposure, taking into account now the metabolites arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. Furthermore, the range of the EKA was extended to concentrations below 1 μg/m3. Analogous to the EKA derivation, the BLW was re-evaluated based on the renal excretion of the species arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. To prevent peripheral neuropathy as the most critical systemic toxic effect besides carcinogenicity, an average concentration of 10 μg/l for the sum of arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and mono-methylarsonic acid should not be exceeded in post shift urine samples