Biological studies in human exposure to and poisoning with organic solvents. With special reference to kinetics, haematology, and serum chemistry

Industrial solvents and kidney disease

Scientific literature addressing the association of industrial exposures to solvents with glomerular kidney disease is reviewed. The role of the practicing physician in taking an occupational history of exposures to solvents in every case of glomerulonephritis is emphasized. Based on case studies and epidemiologic findings, it is highly probable that exposures to industrial solvents should be considered as a factor in the causation of kidney disease. The need for more frequent reporting is discussed.

Occupational factors and renal disease

The male-to-female ratio of patients requiring dialysis treatment commonly approaches 2:1. It is proposed that environmental factors, particularly occupational exposure to hydrocarbons, may account for the excess number of male patients. The term "hydrocarbon" refers to the aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform); glycols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dioxane, glycerol); and organic solvents. Hydrocarbons commonly find use as solvents in industrial manufacturing practices because of their lipid solubility. Hydrocarbons have long been known to be neurotoxicants, affecting both peripheral and central nervous systems. Although benzene and its derivative have a known association with uroepithelial tumors, there is now a considerable body of evidence suggesting a possible role for hydrocarbon exposure in the development of non-neoplastic renal diseases. This article presents an epidemiological case for such an association and critically reviews the literature.

Study of the electrical impedance of blood from house painters

Using a four-electrode technique the electrical impedance was measured at 150 kHz (100 microA) on whole blood samples from 13 male house painters (age 19-49 years; median 35 years) exposed occupationally to vapors from alkyd paints containing organic solvents and from a control group of 7 healthy unexposed men (age 27-53 years; median 37 years). The blood impedance of the two groups was monitored prior to and 9 days after an initial administration of acetylsalicylic (600 mg). The resistivity calculated from the impedance of whole blood from the painters remained significantly higher than the corresponding values for the controls. The hematological values for the two groups were within normal ranges, although the painters had significantly higher platelet counts than the controls. Effects of long-term exposure of the painters to volatile solvents are discussed.