The Toxicology of 1,4-Dioxane - Environmental Investigation and Remediation - page 232

TABLE 5.1 (continued)
Human Toxicity Studies for 1,4-Dioxane
Study Type

Exposure Conditions Concentration Results References

Volunteer study Five men > 280 ppm for several minutes

1400 ppm for several minutes

Mucus membrane irritation of the nose and throat Wirth and

Klimmer
(1936)

Volunteer study Five men 5000 ppm for 1 min; 1600 ppm for

10 min

Irritation and burning sensation in nose and throat Yant et al.

(1930)

Volunteer study Four men 50 ppm for 6 h Eye irritation; odor detection diminished over time Young et al.

(1977)

Pharmacokinetic
study in workers

Four workers 1.6 ppm for 7.5 h No clinical signs reported; urinary excretion of

1,4-dioxane and HEAA was measured (ratio
of 1:118)

Young et al.
(1976)

Epidemiology (cross-
sectional survey)

74 German workers exposed to
1,4-dioxane (24 still actively
employed in 1,4-dioxane
production at the time of study,
23 employed at other jobs in the
plant, 27 retired or deceased)

Measured concentrations 0.06-0.69 ppm;
estimated previous concentrations
0.06-7.2 ppm; exposure duration from
3-41 years

Results of medical examinations normal;
hematology, clinical chemistry, renal function,
and urinalysis normal; no increase in chromosome
aberrations observed

Thiess et al.
(1976)

Epidemiology
(mortality study)

165 workers employed in
manufacturing or processing of
1,4-dioxane

Estimated exposure levels for different
job categories: low (<25 ppm),
intermediate (50-75 ppm), high
(>75 ppm); mean exposure duration
<5 years

No apparent excess in mortality or deaths
due to cancer

Bufl er et al.
(1978)