Assessment of occupational health risk from multiple exposure: review of industrial solvent interaction and implication for biological monitoring of exposure.

This review is a critical survey and evaluation of recent literature on solvent interactions for the assessment of health risk. It addresses the implications of multiple solvent exposures 1) by examining the influence of solvent-solvent and ethanol-solvent interactions on the biological indices of chemical exposure, and 2) by indicating how the eventual modifying effects can be considered in the biological monitoring of mixed exposure. Reviewed studies reveal the effects of toxicokinetic interactions on the biological parameters, and the gaps in our knowledge. The measurement of potentially toxic molecular species is suggested for the biological monitoring of multiple chemical exposure. This approach appears to be important for drawing better quantitative conclusions on the internal exposure to biologically active chemical species. Finally, research needs arising from the critical analysis of the literature are briefly described.