Role of hydrocarbons in non-neoplastic renal disease

ABSTRACT

The term hydrocarbon refers to any aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, halogenated hydrocarbons [carbon tetrachloride, chloroform], glycols [ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dioxane, glycerol] and organic solvents. Hydrocarbons commonly find their use as solvents in the industrial manufacturing practices because of their lipid solubility. Hydrocarbons have long been known to be neurotoxicants, affecting both peripheral and central nervous systems. Although benzene and its derivative have a known association with uroepithelial tumours there is now a considerable body of evidence suggesting a possible role for hydrocarbon exposure in the development of non-neoplastic renal diseases. This article presents an epidemiological case for such an association and critically reviews the literature