Pulmonary uptake and amounts of solvents metabolized at different physical loads.

Biological exposure tests are commonly based on the assumption that the total metabolized amount of a solvent is proportional to its pulmonary uptake during exposure. Equations resulting from the suggested model of pulmonary uptake of a solvent, its bio-transformation and postexposure elimination by exspiration allow to analyze the effect of physical load [during and after exposure] on this proportionality. Physical load is characterized by alveolar ventilation, cardiac output and perfusion redistribution. Within the usually occurring range of mean minute ventilations the expected proportionality between the total metabolized and absorbed amount is justified for solvents with the metabolic clearance M greater than 20 1. min-1.