Nitroglycol and nitroglycerine exposure in a dynamite industry 1958-1978.

An excess mortality from chronic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases among dynamite workers has recently been reported from two Swedish explosives industries. This study summarizes the exposure situation with regard to nitroglycol and nitroglycerine during the last two decades in one of these factories. The manufacturing process is described as well as the sampling and analytic procedures. The mean 8-hour TWA concentrations of nitrate esters for different job types during three seven-year periods 1958-1978 have been calculated from a large number of simi-annually measured short-time samples. The concentrations are estimated to have been in the range of 0.2 - 1.1 mg/m3, with the highest levels for cartridge fillers and mix house workers. The representativeness of short-time samples was found to be comparatively good in relation to 8-1/2 hour personal air sampling. The presented exposure calculations could be used for international comparison and dose-response discussions in future epidemiological studies on chronic effects of nitrate esters.