title: Health hazard assessment of occupationally di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate-exposed workers in China.
abstract: Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is a potential hazard to human health. The effects of occupational high level DEHP exposure on human health were evaluated by measuring the plasma cholinesterase, residues, renal and hepatic biochemical markers. The study was conducted in three representative polyvinyl chloride manufacturing facilities from large size (S1), medium side (S2) to small size (S3). Total 456 adult males including 352 exposed workers (occupational) and 104 control workers (background) were selected. The average DEHP concentrations in respirable particulate matter were 233, 291, and 707 μg m(-3) for S1-S3, respectively, compared with 0.26 μg m(-3) in the background atmosphere (labeled by S4). The results showed significant decreases in post exposure plasma cholinesterase (PChE) levels (<30%) from the exposed workers as compared to baseline. These exposed workers had been evaluated for plasma DEHP residues. Regression analyses explored that PChE decreased significantly with increasing plasma DEHP residues. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, gamma glutamyltransferase, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant and C-reactive protein were significantly raised as compared to the controls. Of the 352 exposed workers, 116 (33.0%) had a daily DEHP intake 22.7 μg kg bw(-1)d(-1) , which is more than 20 μg kg bw(-1)d(-1) specified by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The study demonstrated that occupational phthalate exposure produces health hazards.
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China. Electronic address: wenxin973@foxmail.com.
authors: Wenxin
authors: W
authors: Wang
authors: Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command of Chinese PLA, Nanjing 210002, PR China.
authors: Xiaobing
authors: X
authors: Xu
authors: Gas Technology Institute, 1700 S. Mt. Prospect Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60018, USA.
authors: Chinbay Q
authors: CQ
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002681:China; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; D002802:Cholinesterases
keywords: Biochemical monitoring; Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate; Health hazards; Occupational exposure; Plasma residues