ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the occupational hazards in automobile maintenance industry in Hangzhou and to provide field-research based evidence for prevention and control. Methods We visited 12 workshops of automobile maintenance to investigate the actors of occupational hazards, examine the protective facilities, and evaluate the occupation-related risk using MES method. Results The factors of occupation-related hazards at polishing posts met the criteria. At the painting posts in the painting room, the factors of chemical hazards satisfied the criteria, however, the levels of xylene and butyl acetate exceeded the standard lines in some enterprises when the ventilation system was close. The noise was higher than the limit at a few posts of sheet metal. The ventilation in spray paint room and the dust collector in dry mill room work well. The risks of occupational hazards at grinding, painting, and sheet metal posts were slightly harmful. Conclusion The occupational hazard factors in automobile repair enterprises were much more complicated. The noise hazard of the sheet metal posts was relatively prominent.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate abnormal liver function associated with polymorphism of GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-nine workers with abnormal liver function in a synthetic leather factory were recruited as case. One hundred and twenty five control subjects with similar work tasks were selected from the same factory. Genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were determined by multiplex PCR, and for CYP2E1 PstI by PCR-RFLP assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of positive GSTM1 was 59.42% in cases and 38.40% in control, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34,95% CI: 1.29-4.29 (P=0.005). For GSTT1 and CYP2E1 PstI, the frequencies of genotypes showed no significant difference between case and control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GSTM1 positive genotype may be genetic risk factors for development of abnormal liver function in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Genetics , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 , Genetics , Dimethylformamide , Genotype , Glutathione Transferase , Genetics , Occupational Exposure , Polymorphism, GeneticABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the hepatotoxic effects of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the workers of a synthetic leathers factory, and the effects on liver function of covariates such as alcohol consumption and other factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The workers were classified into three groups (low, high and the control) by the concentration of DMF in workplace which was determined in the past two years. A questionnaire was drawn up for relevant demographic characteristics and other factors influencing liver function. The bloods were collected for laboratory test which included parameters especially relevant to the liver (ALT AST and gamma GT).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Low and high-exposure groups were significantly associated with elevated ALT and gamma GT, and high-exposure group was significantly associated with elevated Liver index. Modeling by stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that high concentration of DMF and BMI were associated with and elevated ALT, gamma GT and Liver index, besides DMF and BMI, the elevation of ALT was also associated with high TRIG. AST was only associated with alcohol consumption. The AST/ALT ration < 1 was present in 86.7% of the exposure workers of liver function abnormal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMF can cause liver function alternations even if air concentration of DMF was below PC-TWA. Besides the levels of DMF exposure, obesity (BMI) and alcohol consumption are covariates alternating liver function. Liver index can be a parameter for assessment liver function, and the AST/ALT ration < 1 may serve as markers of risk in health screening programs.</p>