title: Solvent exposure, alcohol consumption and liver injury in workers manufacturing paint.
abstract: Liver enzyme activity was examined in 89 South African paint makers currently exposed to a mixture of organic solvents at fairly low levels. However, the duration of exposure was substantial for many. Fifty-eight workers (65%) had at least one enzyme value above the upper reference limit. Gamma glutamyl transferase (gamma GT) activity was elevated in 46% of the workers and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) in 52%. In a comparison between workers with high and low solvent exposure, the gamma GT and ASAT values were higher in the most exposed group (eg, gamma GT mean 108 versus 69 U.l-1, P > 0.05). Adjustment for confounding by alcohol consumption and body mass index eliminated the differences due to exposure. It was concluded that the measures of liver injury used did not demonstrate solvent-induced hepatic damage but that excessive alcohol consumption was an important factor.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soderlund
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cronje
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kielkowski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D012997:Solvents