Loh CH, Liou SH, Jiau SS, Cheng WT, Shih TS, Chen HI. Hepatic effects among workers exposed to ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate.
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2008;
46:463-469. [PMID:
18840936 DOI:
10.2486/indhealth.46.463]
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Abstract
Data about hepatic effects of ethylene glycol ethers had been limited and inconsistent. In this study, we determined whether ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (EGEEA) was a hepatotoxin in exposed workers. Workers from one silk-screening shop (n=29), using EGEEA as the major cleaning solvent, were recruited as high exposure group. Another group of workers with indirect and low exposure to EGEEA (n=57) were selected as the comparison group. Air concentration of EGEEA was measured by 8-h personal sampling. The mean of air EGEEA concentration in the high exposure group was 7.41-16.5 ppm. The mean of air EGEEA concentration in the low exposure group was 0.07-3.62 ppm. Liver function profiles showed that the AST, ALT, ALP and gamma GT in both male and female EGEEA-exposed workers were not significantly different from those in the comparison group. After adjustment for potential confounders such as gender, body mass index, hepatitis B status, and duration of employment, no difference in hepatic dysfunction were found between exposed and comparison groups. In addition, a two-year follow-up study of these EGEEA-exposed workers, no significant change in hepatic function was noted either. The findings suggest that EGEEA is not a hepatotoxin in this workplace.
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