Respiratory measurements of occupational exposure to industrial solvents.

The authors report the parameters which rule the absorption and elimination of polluting solvent vapours in exposed subjects (ventilation, pulmonary capillary flow, solubility coefficients, environmental concentration, exposure times). These parameters are included in the equations showing the absorption and elimination indexes and lung clearances. The absorption and elimination indexes implied are discussed stressing their practical usefulness in the field of biological monitoring, industrial hygiene and in preventive medicine.