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2654929 
Journal Article 
Biological monitoring and health effects of low-level exposure to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone: A cross-sectional study 
Haufroid, V; Jaeger, VK; Jeggli, S; Eisenegger, R; Bernard, A; Friedli, D; Lison, D; Hotz, P 
2014 
Yes 
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
ISSN: 0340-0131
EISSN: 1432-1246 
87 
6 
663-674 
English 
24078144 
WOS:000339885200010 
To examine the value of urinary 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP) and 2-hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide (2-HMSI) in a population of workers exposed to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and to look for health effects of exposure to this organic solvent.



Airborne NMP was determined according to the NIOSH method. Urinary 5-HNMP and 2-HMSI (after and before next shift) were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Outcomes were effects on lung, kidney, skin and mucous membranes, nervous system, haematopoiesis and liver determined by clinical examination and laboratory measurements. Univariate statistical methods and multiple regressions were used to analyse results. Skin resorption, smoking and other potential confounders were taken into account.



Three hundred twenty-seven workers were eligible out of which 207 workers (63 %) participated. Ninety-one of these worked with NMP. Occupational exposure to NMP did often not occur daily and ranged from non-detectable to 25.8 mg/m(3) (median = 0.18). Urinary 2-HMSI (mg/l; before next shift) was the best biomarker of exposure to NMP, explaining about 70 % of the variance, but most likelihood ratios did not allow for ruling exposure in or out, at these low levels of exposure. Creatinine adjustment did not improve the results clearly. No clear and consistent health effects could be associated with NMP exposure. No indication for a bias due to non-participation was found.



Biological monitoring, primarily urinary 2-HMSI (mg/l; before next shift), is of value to estimate exposure to NMP even when exposure is irregular and low. Likelihood ratios of urinary 5-HMNP or 2-HMSI are, however, not quite satisfactory at these low levels. No irritant or other health effects were found. 
Biological monitoring; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; Skin uptake; Irritation 
OPPT REs
• OPPT_N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)_C. Engineering
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• OPPT_N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)_D. Exposure
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• OPPT_N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)_E. Fate
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• OPPT_N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)_F. Human Health
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     On topic - additional tags for titles/abstracts
          Human hazard ID
• OPPT_Perchloroethylene (Perc)_C. Engineering
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