title: Hepatic effects in workers exposed to 2-methoxy ethanol.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 2-ME on hepatic function in exposed workers. Fifty-three impregnation workers from two copper-clad laminate-manufacturing factories using 2-ME as a solvent were recruited as the exposed group. Another group of 121 lamination workers with indirect exposure to 2-ME was recruited as the comparison group. Environmental monitoring of air 2-ME concentrations and biological monitoring of urine 2-methoxy acetic acid concentrations were performed. Venous blood was collected for blood biochemistry analyses. Liver function examination results showed that the aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase in the 2-ME-exposed workers were not significantly different from those in the comparison workers. After adjustment for hepatitis carrier status, gender, body mass index, and duration of employment, no difference were found between exposed and comparison groups. We conclude that 2-ME was not a hepatotoxin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and Armed Force 807 Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ching-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Tung-Sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: An-Tsz
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Yeong-Hwang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Saou-Hsing
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Liou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000494:pharmacology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012997:Solvents / Q000506:poisoning*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D012997:Solvents; D013723:Teratogens; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; C005219:methyl cellosolve