title: Neutrophil function in chemical plant workers employed in the production of dust pesticides.
abstract: In two divisions of a chemical plant producing dust pesticides, employees exposed to dust, containing 28%-65% SiO2, were examined. In the first division (group I, 38 males and 35 females), the average air dust concentration was 5.0 mg/m3, and the active substances were: chlorinated hydrocarbons, captan, carbamates and dodine. In the other division (group II, 26 males and 33 females), the air dust concentration was 4.8-5.2 mg/m3, and the active substances included: carbamates, triazine compounds, cupric oxychloride, captan, lindane, carboxine. Spirographic investigations showed signs of pulmonary emphysema (RV/TLC) in 65.8% males and 60% females of group I and 38.5% males and 40.6% females of group II. In leucocyte concentrate smears, the cytochemical reactions to beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase, as well as the nitroblue tetrazolinum (NBT)-dye reduction of neutrophils were performed. The random migration and chemotaxis of isolated neutrophils, washed or incubated in 10% autologous serum, their phagocytic activity and tube adherence test were also investigated. Compared to the controls, the reaction to beta-glucuronidase as well as the NBT reduction were increased, whereas the acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase reactions were lowered. Impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis stimulated with zymozan-activated serum was observed in all groups of workers; random migration was enhanced in workers of group I and lowered in male workers of group II. Higher phagocytosis of latex particles occurred in workers of group I and in males of group II, while tube adhesion was impaired in group I and enhanced in males of group II.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterology, Silesian Medical Academy, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sliwiński
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hermanowicz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kossmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hrycek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010575:Pesticides