title: Changes in the peripheral blood of workers with occupational exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons.
abstract: A total of 171 workers with occupational exposure to benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene, and 37 controls were studied. Hematological parameters were measured using the automated hematology analyzer, (System 190). By routine microscopic methods we investigated the differential distribution of leukocytes and alkaline phosphatase in granulocytes. Of the workers, 95 (55.5%) had deviations of the different blood cells. Hypochromic anemia was found in 50 male workers (29.6%), while leukocytosis with lymphocytosis and neutropenia was found in 20%. In 11 workers (6.4%), dyshematopoiesis, was detected, affecting more than one blood population: anemia in combination with thrombocytopenia or leukocytosis with decreased enzyme activity of the granulocyte alkaline phosphatase. No definite relationship between changes in peripheral blood elements and length of service of the workers was found, but workers with over 20 years' exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons suffered from more severe forms of anemia.
authors.affiliation: National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria. Popov@mgu.bg
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hristeva-Mirtcheva
mesh_terms: D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002617:Chemical Industry; D006801:Humans; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D016273:Occupational Exposure
chemical_list: D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic