Exposure to glyceryl trinitrate during gun powder production: plasma glyceryl trinitrate concentration, elimination kinetics, and discomfort among production workers.

Abstract

Plasma glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) concentration was studied in 12 volunteers producing gun powder. Serial blood samples were obtained from the cubital vein before and during work at two sites of production; high concentrations of GTN were detected in the plasma. Control specimens from a femoral vein contained much less GTN, indicating that blood in the cubital vein was enriched by dermally absorbed GTN. In the roll mill area concentrations of GTN in the cubital vein were higher than in the press area, but individual factors were also important since some workers consistently had higher concentration of GTN than others. Differences in absorption were more important than differences in the metabolism of GTN since only a small variation in disappearance rate was found after a sublingual test dose of GTN. Moderate changes in pulse rate and blood pressure were noted during the day. The major discomfort experienced was a headache that increased during working hours, but this was not significantly related to GTN concentrations in the air or in the blood from the cubital vein. The observations imply that major efforts should be made to reduce dermal contact with GTN during production work.

Nitric Oxide and the Cerebral Vascular Function

“…The biological effects (vasodilation) of glyceril trinitrate is due to its conversion to NO [30]. Similarly, workers at an ammunition factory (glyceryl nitrate is the active principle in gunpowder) also experience headaches [16]. Furthermore, continuous infusion (intravenous) of glyceryl trinitrate in healthy volunteers has been shown to induce a dose-dependent headache for the duration of the infusion, with the headache disappearing rapidly after discontinuation of the infusion.…”

Nitroglycerin [BAT Value Documentation, 1998]

“…There is no significant correlation between nitroglycerin in ambient air and the nitroglycerin concentration in the cubital vein, neither is there a correlation between the level of nitroglycerin in plasma and a headache score, changes in the pulse rate or blood pressure (36). A possible explanation for the lack of a correlation between the level of nitroglycerin in plasma and effect parameters is the short half-life of nitroglycerin and dermal exposure, which cannot be estimated in this type of study.…”

“…They also hardly take dermal absorption into consideration (36). As nitroglycerin is not detectable in the plasma, or only to a small degree, due to its short half-life of a few minutes, it is unsuitable as a parameter for biological monitoring.…”

“…The development of headaches is one of the most important cerebral effects (11,29,36,62,75,89) and is probably due to cerebral vasodilation, as shown in animal studies. Development of headaches is observed both with therapeutic doses and workplace exposures.…”

Nitratkopfschmerz bei Sprengarbeiten

“…Trotz regelmäßigen Handschuhwechsels und anderer präventiver Maßnahmen ist ein vollständiger Schutz vor der systemischen Nitrataufnahme (Glycerintrinitrat und Ethylenglykoldinitrat) oft schwer zu gewährleisten [10], was ein häufiger Analgetikakonsum in dieser Berufsgruppe unterstreicht [5]. Durch neue Rezepturen der Sprengstoffe sowie der Automatisierung bzw.…”