Exposure to Trinitrotoluene and Health Effects among Workers in an Artillery and Ammunition Plant
Pornpimol Kongtip PhD*, Smart Preklang MS**, Witaya Yoosook PhD*, Suttinun Chantanakul MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health, Toxicology and Management of Chemicals (ETM), Bangkok, Thailand ** Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine urinary trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2-amino-4, 6-dinitrotoluene (2ADNT) and 4-amino-2, 6-dinitrotoluene
(4ADNT) and health effects upon workers in an ammunition plant.
Material and Method: The urine samples from forty munition workers and forty office workers were monitored for TNT and
its metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The workers were interviewed with a questionnaire.
Results : The median levels of TNT and its metabolites were 112.84 and ranged from non-detectable (ND) to 1,833.81 mg/L.
Median levels for 2ADNT were 11.66, ranging from ND to 360.89 mg/L. Median levels for 4ADNT were 19.95 and ranged
from ND to 314.28 mg/L. There were significant correlations between TNT and 2ADNT in urine (r = 0.700, p-value < 0.001),
as well as for TNT and 4ADNT (r = 0.783, p-value < 0.001). Exposed workers reported eye, nose and throat irritations,
weakness and headaches with considerably higher frequency than non-exposed workers.
Conclusion : TNT levels in urine were strongly associated with 4ADNT and 2ADNT levels. Workers exposed to TNT
complained of nose, throat and eye irritation, along with overall weakness and headaches.
Keywords : 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2ADNT), 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4ADNT), Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS)
