Inhaled tert-butyl acetate and its metabolite tert-butyl alcohol accumulate in the blood during exposure.

G Groth, K J Freundt

Index: Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 13(7) , 478-80, (1994)

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Abstract

1. A continuous 5 h-exposure to approximately 440 ppm tert-butyl acetate in air (via a tracheal canule) resulted in continuously increasing concentrations of tert-butyl acetate and tert-butyl alcohol (metabolite of tert-butyl acetate) in the blood of rats. 2. This accumulation of tert-butyl acetate and tert-butyl alcohol was reproduced during a continuous exposure to about 900 ppm tert-butyl acetate in air over a period of 4 h and 15 min. After the inhalation approximately 50% of the blood level of tert-butyl acetate decreased within 45 min, but that of tert-butyl alcohol remained unchanged at a high level. 3. The accumulation of tert-butyl acetate and tert-butyl alcohol should be relevant for the health risk assessment at the workside.