Changes in cellular immunity among workers occupationally exposed to styrene in a plastics lamination plant.
BACKGROUND
Styrene is a widely used industrial chemical. Immune and hematological parameters were examined in 29 hand laminators and sprayers exposed to styrene for an average of 14 years and in 19 in-factory unexposed controls. The workers performed hand lamination procedures in a production area with an average area airborne styrene level of 139.5 mg/m(3). Mean concentration of styrene in the blood of exposed workers was 945.7 microg/L and the mean styrene in exhaled air was 38.8 microg/L.


METHODS
Parameters of internal and external exposure, immune function assays, immunoglobulins, acute phase reactants and hematology were evaluated in exposed and non-exposed populations.


RESULTS
Using multifactorial analysis of variance we found a significant decrease in proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated by Concanavalin A but not by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in workers occupationally exposed to styrene. Proliferative response to PWM was significantly correlated with the levels of styrene in blood. Phagocytic activity of monocytes, levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and alpha-2-macroglobulin in serum were indistinguishable in the two groups. The population exposed to styrene had increased levels of C4-component of complement. Levels of C3-component of complement were positively correlated with duration of exposure. A significant elevation in the percentage and number of monocytes and a significantly decreased number of lymphocytes were seen in exposed workers. Styrene concentrations in both blood and exhaled air were associated with decreased percentage of large granular lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest immune alterations of cell-mediated immune response of T-lymphocytes and imbalance in leucocyte subsets in peripheral blood of workers exposed to styrene.
Tulinska
J
J
Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Department of Immunotoxicology, Limbova 14, 833 01 Bratislava, Slovak Republic. tulinska@upkm.sk
Dusinska
M
M
Jahnova
E
E
Liskova
A
A
Kuricova
M
M
Vodicka
P
P
Vodickova
L
L
Sulcova
M
M
Fuortes
L
L
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020058:Styrene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000187:drug effects
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008934:Mitogens; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D020058:Styrene; D003165:Complement System Proteins