Effect of exposure to ethylene glycol ethers on shipyard painters: III. Hematologic effects.
Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, total and differential white blood cell counts, and platelet count were measured in shipyard painters and control subjects as part of a cross-sectional, observational study of the effects of ethylene glycol ethers. Although the means of all variables were comparable between the groups, a significant proportion of painters were anemic (10%) and granulocytopenic (5%); none of the controls were affected. Review of company records documented that most of these abnormalities were acquired during employment; preexisting disease and other exposure could not explain the findings. These findings are consistent with prior animal studies and human case reports. Potential biases and confounding of the data are discussed.
Welch
L S
LS
Department of Internal Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037.
Cullen
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012767:Ships; D014481:United States
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007854:Lead; C005219:methyl cellosolve; C021296:2-ethoxyethanol