The effect of personal factors on the relationship between carbon disulfide exposure and urinary 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid levels in rayon manufacturing workers.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have been conducted to explore how personal factors-personal hygiene, personal protective equipment, and skin exposure affect the exposure-dose relationship in workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS(2)).


METHODS
Personal environmental monitoring of airborne CS(2) and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) levels in post-shift urine were determined for sixty-five rayon workers. The personal factors affecting the CS(2)-TTCA relationship were measured by questionnaire and dermatological diagnosis.


RESULTS
In simple linear regression analyses, we found shower right after work, respirator, gloves, apron, and skin disease were significantly associated with U-TTCA levels among all personal factors. Skin disease was, however, the only personal factor that remained significant throughout multivariate linear regression analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the personal factor like host's skin disease was found to possibly affect the relations of U-TTCA to the occupational exposure to CS(2). The skin exposure to CS(2) for those who have skin problems on the sites possibly or potentially exposed to CS(2) in the occupational environment such as in the rayon manufacturing process is noteworthy. Workers with susceptible skins should either be assigned to work in areas without contacting hazardous materials directly or required to wear appropriately protective clothing.
Chou
Tzu-Chieh
TC
Graduate Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
Shih
Tung-Sheng
TS
Sheu
Hamm-Min
HM
Chang
Shu-Ju
SJ
Huang
Chin-Chang
CC
Chang
Ho-Yuan
HY
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000032:analysis*; D002482:Cellulose; D002617:Chemical Industry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000652:urine*; D053778:Thiazolidines
D015415:Biomarkers; D013844:Thiazoles; D053778:Thiazolidines; C031677:2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinecarboxylic acid; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; D002246:Carbon Disulfide