Application of pharmacokinetics to derive biological exposure indexes from threshold limit values.

The importance of incorporating the fundamental concepts of pharmacokinetics into biological monitoring program that involve the collection of various body fluid and tissue specimens is discussed. The application of these principles to establish biological exposures 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.