Application of Pharmacokinetics to Derive Biological Exposure Indexes from Threshold Limit Values

The importance of incorporating the fundamental concepts of pharmacokinetics into biological monitoring programs that involve the collection of various body fluid and tissue specimens is discussed. The application of these principles to establish biological exposure indexes bioequivalent to airborne exposure limits is described. Specific illustrative examples involving acetone, aniline, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, dieldrin, ethylbenzene, hexane, lead, methylene chloride, pentachlorophenol, phenol, styrene, toluene and xylene are presented.