Does the Low-level occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds alter the seasonal variation of selected markers of oxidative stress? A case–control study in nail technicians

Table 2 Airborne concentrations of organic solvents in nail salons, combined occupational exposure of nail technicians during the “hot” and “cold season

	TWA-OEL	“Hot” season	“Cold” season
Ethanol [mg/m³]	1900	1.57 [0.06–16.12]	6.96 [0.35–54.77]^****
Acetone [mg/m³]	600	0.81 [0.03–43.23]	0.57 [0.05–61.69]
Toluene [mg/m³]	100	0.02 [0.004–0.30]	0.01 [0.000–0.62]^*
2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol) [mg/m³]	900	1.31 [0.11–21.30]	3.44 [0.12–37.70]^**
2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) [mg/m³]	200	0.04 [0.007–0.92]	0.05 [0.002–1.63]
Ethyl acetate [mg/m³]	200	1.36 [0.07–27.28]	3.96 [0.03–44.54]^*
Isopropyl acetate [mg/m³]	600	0.02 [0.010–0.10]	0.01 [0.000–0.22]^****
n-butyl acetate [mg/m³]	200	0.23 [0.021–4.87]	0.17 [0.00–18.53]
Total [mg/m³]	-	7.60 [0.57–70.62]	24.22 [1.55–132.28]^****
Σ(C_i/N_i)	1.0	0.019 [0.002–0.170]	0.057 [0.002–0.254]^***

Airborne levels of organic solvents measured in air samples collected from nail salon workrooms during the “hot” (N = 45) and the “cold” (N = 64) season. Data presented as median [range] airborne concentrations were tested for significant inter-seasonal differences using the Mann–Whitney U test. TWA-OEL stands for the Polish time-weighted average occupational exposure limit of the respective organic solvent. Σ(C_i/N_i) stands for the ACGIH measure of the additive effect of combined exposure of the mixture of organic solvents, with respective threshold value equal 1
^* p < 0.05; ^** p < 0.01; ^*** p < 0.0005; ^**** p < 0.0001

ISSN: 1745-6673