EN
The influence of three different concentrations of trichloroethylene on urine phenol excretion was studied in rats exposed to equimolar and heteromolar trichloroethylene/benzene mixtures. Three benzene and trichloroethylene concentrations of 1.5,4.5 and 13.5 mmol/m3 air were used in the experiment. The rats were exposed to the chemicals in a dynamic exposure chamber for five consecutive days, 6 hours daily. After termination of the inhalation, the rate of phenol excretion in urine samples collected during 48 hours since termination of the inhalational exposure was evaluated by gas chromatography. Phenol excretion was inhibited by trichloroethylene in all test groups. In the group exposed to benzene at 1.5 mmol/m3 air, phenol excrection was reduced by trichloroethylene at 1.5, 4.5 and 13.5 mmol/m3 air by 34%, 43% and 63%, respectively. Phenol excrection in rats exposed to benzene at 4.5 mmol/m3 air decreased by 20%, 63% and 80%, respectively. Trichloroethylene at 1.5 and 4.5 mmol/m3 air reduced phenol excretion in rats exposed simultaneously to benzene at 13.5 mmol/m3 air by 31% and 35%, respectively, while the corresponding reduction for 13.5 mmol/m3 air trichloroethylene was 57%.