Carbon tetrachloride toxicity potentiated by isopropyl alcohol. Investigation of an industrial outbreak.
Fourteen workers in an isopropyl alcohol packaging plant became ill after accidental exposure to carbon tetrachloride. In four, renal failure or hepatitis developed. Isopropyl alcohol potentiation of carbon tetrachloride toxicity has been shown previously only in rats. Acetone, a product of isopropyl alcohol metabolism, is a major potentiator of carbon tetrachloride toxicity. Workers had elevated levels of acetone in samples of expired alveolar gas and thus were metabolically predisposed to carbon tetrachloride injury. Stricter limits for industrial carbon tetrachloride exposure should be established where concomitant isopropyl alcohol use occurs.
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D000096:Acetone / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning*; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000150:complications*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000096:Acetone; D000433:1-Propanol