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In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated acetone [67-64-1] and has derived a biological tolerance value (BAT value) and a biological reference value (BAR).In correlation to the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of 500 ml acetone/m³, a BAT value of 50 mg acetone/l urine was derived. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or the end of the shift. According to currently available information damage to the embryo or foetus cannot be excluded after exposure to acetone concentrations at the level of the MAK and BAT value (Pregnancy Risk Group B). The MAK value documentation indicates that based on the NOAEC (no observed adverse effect concentration) for developmental toxicity of 2200 ml/m³ no prenatal toxic effects of acetone are to be expected at about 200 ml/m³. The corresponding internal exposure of 20 mg acetone/l urine would be the prerequisite for an assignment to Pregnancy Risk Group C, which means that damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely at this concentration. Taking the results of studies of occupationally non-exposed individuals with indications regarding the 95th percentile into consideration, a BAR of 2.5 mg acetone/l urine was derived.

Additional file 1. Equipment and materials used (Manufacturer’s names and addresses).

In 1994, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated ethylene [ 74-85-1 ] and has derived exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances (EKA) for ethylene in air and the parameter N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine in blood. The EKA are essentially based on unpublished data and relevant studies had appeared since the last evaluation. Therefore, the EKA will be re-evaluated and withdrawn in the meantime.

Additional file 4. Heat map – visual illustration of the magnitude of subgroup variations.

Additional file 6. Age and tenure time at initial symptoms overall and broken down by group-wise depiction of those parameters among case classification for specific immunological occupational causation (supplementary figure).

Additional file 5. Association between age and tenure time at initial symptoms (supplementary figure).

In 2017, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 1,4-dichlorobenzene [106-46-7]. If the MAK value of 2 ml 1,4-dichlorobenzene/m3 (12 mg/m3) is not exceeded, prenatal toxic effects are not to be expected. Therefore, 1,4-dichlorobenzene was classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. In 2019, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 10 mg 2,5-dichlorophenol/l urine was derived in correlation to the MAK value. Therefore, Pregnancy Risk Group C is also valid for the BAT value. Adhering to the BAT value of 10 mg 2,5-dichlorophenol/l urine, prenatal toxic effects are not to be expected.

The Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has evaluated biological reference values (BAR) for two metabolites of ethylene oxide [75-21-8]. Considering the available studies on the mercapturic acid of ethylene oxide in urine, S-(2-hydroxyethyl) mercapturic acid (HEMA), a BAR of 5 µg HEMA/g creatinine for background exposure to ethylene oxide was established. Sampling time after short-term exposures is at the end of exposure or at the end of the working shift. For long-term-exposures, a BAR of 60 pmol/g globin was established for the haemoglobin adduct of ethylene oxide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) valine (HEV). Sampling time is after at least 3 months of exposure.

Additional file 3. Comprehensive collective characteristics (Supplementary Table).

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated acetone [67-64-1] and has derived a biological tolerance value (BAT value) and a biological reference value (BAR).In correlation to the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of 500 ml acetone/m³, a BAT value of 50 mg acetone/l urine was derived. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or the end of the shift. According to currently available information damage to the embryo or foetus cannot be excluded after exposure to acetone concentrations at the level of the MAK and BAT value (Pregnancy Risk Group B). The MAK value documentation indicates that based on the NOAEC (no observed adverse effect concentration) for developmental toxicity of 2200 ml/m³ no prenatal toxic effects of acetone are to be expected at about 200 ml/m³. The corresponding internal exposure of 20 mg acetone/l urine would be the prerequisite for an assignment to Pregnancy Risk Group C, which means that damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely at this concentration. Taking the results of studies of occupationally non-exposed individuals with indications regarding the 95th percentile into consideration, a BAR of 2.5 mg acetone/l urine was derived.

In 1994, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated ethylene [74-85-1] and has derived exposure equivalents for carcinogenic agents (EKA) for ethylene in air and the parameter N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine in blood. The EKA are essentially based on unpublished data and relevant studies had appeared since the last evaluation. Therefore, the EKA will be re-evaluated and are withdrawn in the meantime.

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated lead [7439-92-17439-92-1] and its inorganic compounds (except lead arsenate and lead chromate) and has derived a biological tolerance value (BAT value) at the workplace for the blood concentration of lead and a pregnancy risk group classification. Neurotoxicity is considered to be the most sensitive end point. Neurotoxic effects have been described at concentrations above 180 μg lead/l blood. Therefore, a BAT value of 150 μg lead/l blood was established. Because of the long persistence of lead in the body, the sampling time is not fixed. Since damage to the embryo or foetus in humans by lead has been unequivocally demonstrated and is to be expected even when the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) and BAT value are observed, Pregnancy Risk Group A was determined.

In 2017, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 1,4-dichlorobenzene [106-46-7]. If the MAK value of 2 ml 1,4-dichlorobenzene/m3 (12 mg/m3) is not exceeded, prenatal toxic effects are not to be expected. Therefore, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene was classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. In 2019, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 10 mg 2,5-dichlorophenol/l urine was derived in correlation to the MAK value. Therefore, Pregnancy Risk Group C is also valid for the BAT value. Adhering to the BAT value of 10 mg 2,5-dichlorophenol/l urine, prenatal toxic effects are not to be expected.

Additional file 2. Case-by-case evaluation of clinical relevance regarding hypersensitivity reactions to hairdresser’s substances (Supplementary Table).

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated lead [7439-92-17439-92-1] and its inorganic compounds (except lead arsenate and lead chromate) and has derived a biological tolerance value (BAT value) at the workplace for the blood concentration of lead and a pregnancy risk group classification. Neurotoxicity is considered to be the most sensitive end point. Neurotoxic effects have been described at concentrations above 180 μg lead/l blood. Therefore, a BAT value of 150 μg lead/l blood was established. Because of the long persistence of lead in the body, the sampling time is not fixed. Since damage to the embryo or foetus in humans by lead has been unequivocally demonstrated and is to be expected even when the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) and BAT value are observed, Pregnancy Risk Group A was determined.