title: Toxic health effects including reversible macrothrombocytosis in workers exposed to asphalt fumes.
abstract: We investigated an outbreak of irritative and neurotoxic symptoms associated with exposure to asphalt fumes in a commercial lighting factory; 27 symptomatic female workers were clinically assessed including hematologic testing. When compared with a laboratory reference group (n = 107), the workers' mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher and mean platelet count was lower (p = 0.013 and p = 0.048, respectively). Five months later, the factory's ventilation system was substantially modified. Follow-up assessments 6 months postmodification on 15 of the original workers documented a significant decline in acute symptoms and a lowering of the subjects' mean MPV towards normal (p = 0.0007 by paired t-test). The findings suggest that reversible macrothrombocytosis (enlarged platelets) can occur among symptomatic workers exposed to asphalt fumes.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Program, Lakeshore Area Multi-service Project, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chase
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Liss
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010976:Platelet Count; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005740:Gases; D010578:Petroleum