Study of some biochemical changes among workers occupationally exposed to phenol, alone or in combination with other organic solvents

ABSTRACT

Organic solvents have wide range of applications. Inhalation of organic solvents can cause injury to several internal organs of the body. The risk of injury depends on the concentration of the substance in the respirable air and on the duration of exposure. Studying the effects of multiple chemical exposure is a relatively unexplored area of occupational health. An exact occupational appraisal of phenol toxicity in man is difficult because it is usually found in mixtures with organic solvents. Such combinations may result in different health and biochemical effects. The present study included 20 workers exposed to phenol alone and 32 workers exposed to phenol, toluene, benzene and MEK. A comparison group of 30 subjects was also included. All subjects were submitted to blood and urine analysis. The effects of combined exposure did not differ that of exposure to phenol alone concerning hematological investigations, liver and kidney functions. Combined exposure, however, affected the levels of some trace elements in serum probably in a additive way. More attention should be paid to the health effects of combined chemical exposure