Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2003 Jun;15(2):162-172.

Seasonal Variations of the Urinary N-Methylformamide Concentration among Workers at a Synthetic Leather Factory

• Lee KY
• Byeon JH
• Song HR
• Kim JH
• Ko KW
• Lee YH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to identify seasonal variations of urinary concentrations of N-methylformamide (NMF) among workers employed at a synthetic leather factory.
METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 16 male and 6 female workers who were involved in the direct treatment of dimethylformamide (DMF) in a synthetic leather factory. By using health examination data and the results of air measurements and biologic monitoring conducted in February and July, 2001, we identified seasonal variations of the DMF concentrations in the air and NMF concentrations in urine.
RESULTS
1) In winter and summer, average temperatures at the working sites were 3.2 degrees C and 26.5 degrees C, respectively and average humidities were 35.4 % and 84.5 %, respectively. 2) Airborne DMF concentrations were not significantly different between summer (13.78 ppm) and winter (11.55 ppm). 3) NMF concentrations in urine were found to be significantly higher in summer (96.09 mg/g creatinine) than in winter (31.23 mg/g creatinine) (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The seasonal difference in the urinary excretion values of NMF may be due to increased dermal absorption of DMF with the higher ambient temperature and humidity in summer and the increased area of exposed skin.

Keyword

Dimethylformamide (DMF); N-Methylformamide (NMF); Seasonal Variations; Dermal Absorption

MeSH Terms

Absorption
Dimethylformamide
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Humans
Humidity
Male
Seasons*
Skin
Dimethylformamide