Electrocardiographic abnormality for workers exposed to carbon disulfide at a viscose rayon plant.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated electrocardiography (ECG) manifestations for male workers with carbon disulfide exposure at rayon manufacturing plants.


METHODS
A total of 251 men in the exposure group and 226 administrative clerks in the reference group received physical examinations and completed questionnaires.


RESULTS
The prevalence of ECG abnormalities was much higher in the carbon disulfide exposure group (25.9%, n = 65) than in the reference group (2.7%, n = 6), with an odds ratio (OR) of 12.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.4-30.2). The foremen were at the highest risk of abnormal ECG (OR = 20.6, 95% CI = 6.5-65.2), followed by filament-spinning workers (OR = 14.2, 95% CI = 5.7-35.3), viscose-manufacturing workers (OR = 11.3, 95% CI = 4.3-30.1), and carbon disulfide-manufacturing workers (OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.7-25.6). The multivariate logistic regression analysis based on cumulative exposure index also showed a dose-response relationship with the exposure, and the risk of ECG abnormality could be initiated at the exposure history of 31 to 57 year-ppm with an OR of 7.2 (95% CI = 1.5-36.7).


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the ECG abnormalities observed in workers at the permissible exposure level of carbon disulfide implicate the importance of environmental control of the chemical and of workers' education in exposure prevention at work.
Chang
Shu-Ju
SJ
Department of Industrial Management, Aletheia University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shih
Tung-Sheng
TS
Chou
Tzu-Chieh
TC
Chen
Chiou-Jong
CJ
Chang
Ho-Yuan
HY
Chen
Pau-Chung
PC
Sung
Fung-Chang
FC
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000506:poisoning*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D002482:Cellulose; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013783:Textile Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; D002246:Carbon Disulfide