Journal of Occupational Health
Online ISSN : 1348-9585
Print ISSN : 1341-9145
ISSN-L : 1341-9145
Volume 40, Issue 4
Displaying 1-17 of 17 articles from this issue
  • Zuo-Wen ZHANG, Jiang-Bin QU, Masayuki IKEDA
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 257-263
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Lead and Cadmium Levels in the Atmosphere in Mainland China: Zuo-Wen ZHANG, et al. Department of Public Health, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine—The 1984-1997 retrieval of Chinese papers yielded 16 reports on the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in air of the general environment in Mainland China, in which Pb and Cd levels were reported in 29 and 10 cases, respectively. The reported values are scattered over a wide range of 0.08 to 2.69 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.001 to 0.07 μg/m3 for Cd. The combination of high-volume air sampling and atomic absorption spectrometry (either graphite furnace or flame) was the common method. Difference in sampling sites within the same study region and seasonal changes are among the factors identified to induce variation. No substantial difference was detected among regions with various degrees of urbanization, and trends over recent years were not remarkable both in Pb and in Cd levels. The grand geometric mean for Mainland China was thus estimated to be 0.25 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.01, μg/m3 for Cd. These values appear to be several times higher than those reported for Japan (i.e., 0.01 to 0.08 μg/m3 for Pb and 0.001 to 0.003 μg/m3 for Cd).
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  • Tomoyuki KAWADA, Shosuke SUZUKI
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 264-269
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A Review on the Cadmium Content of Rice, Daily Cadmium Intake, and Accumulation in the Kidneys: Tomoyuki KAWADA, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine—The body burden of cadmium primarily depends on the daily intake of the element in food, and thus the geographical differences in cadmium content in foods and the daily intake of cadmium should be studied. There is a food chain from soil through plant and animal foods to man. Estimation of daily cadmium intake according to the geographical region is important for monitoring environmental cadmium pollution and health effects. In the 1990s, the daily intake of cadmium and accumulation in the kidney were reported. Japanese have a relatively high daily intake of cadmium, although the percentage daily cadmium intake obtained from rice decreased from 50% in 1970 to 34% in 1994. This change is proportional to the change in average rice consumption from 261 g/day in 1970 to 182 g/day in 1994. These changes also indicate a reduced cadmium burden in the past twenty years, from 35-50 μg/day to 30 μg/day. The cadmium level in the renal cortex of Japanese is the highest in the world, but the cadmium in the kidney has been decreasing in most Japanese.
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  • Hiroshi NAKASHIMA, Kazuyuki OMAE, Toru TAKEBAYASHI, Chizuru ISHIZUKA, ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 270-275
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Toxicity of Silicon Compounds in Semiconductor Industries: Hiroshi NAKASHIMA, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University—The toxicities of silane (SiH4), tetraethoxysilane (Si(OC2H5)4, TEOS) and dichlorosilane (SiH2Cl2, DCS) were reviewed in order to compare the toxicological properties of silicon compounds used in the semiconductor industry. Silane and TEOS showed similar toxicities, characterized by nephrotoxicity. Mice subjected to silane (2500, 5000 and 10000 ppm) or TEOS (1000 ppm) acute exposure developed acute tubular necrosis. Tubulo-interstitial nephritis was seen in mice which were subjected to an acute inhalation study and survived 2 wk of the observation period or those subjected to subacute inhalation studies of TEOS (100 and 200 ppm for 2 or 4 wk). Silane and TEOS, however, differed in the concentration at which they showed signs of toxicity. This may be due to their solubility in water and other metabolic factors, but their metabolic pathways have not yet been elucidated. TEOS injured nasal mucosa (1000 ppm for 2 h or more and 50, 100 and 200 ppm for 2 or 4 wk). It was observed at a lower concentration than nephrotoxicity in the 50 and 100 ppm subacute inhalation study. On the other hand, silane caused nasal mucosal lesions only at 5000 or 10000 ppm for acute inhalation, and those of subacute inhalation were mild (1000 ppm for 2 or 4 wk). DCS showed another type of adverse effect. It was an irritant and/or a corrosive agent to the respiratory tract in the acute (64 ppm for 1, 2, 4 or 8 h) and subacute (32 ppm for 2 or 4 wk) inhalation study. The fate of DCS in air was also studied and it was shown to form small particles including silicon and chlorine (Cl) atoms. Cl seems to play an important role in the toxicity of DCS.
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  • Nguyen Phuc THAI, Le Van TRUNG, Nguyen Khac HAI, Le HUYNH
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 276-278
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Protective efficacy of Solanum Hainanense Hance During Hepatotoxicity in Male Mice with Prolonged and Small Oral Doses of Trinitrotoluene: Nguyen Phuc THAI, et al. Department of Occupational Health, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology—A cluster of patients with anemia, aplasia, methemoglobinemia and hepatotoxicity were found among workers in explosive material factories in Vietnam. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) was suspected of causing the disorders. This study aims to evaluate the use of Solanum hainanense Hance for liver protection of white mice which were poisoned with prolonged and small oral doses of TNT. Thirty-six mice were assigned equally to 3 groups: control group, poisoned group and protected group. The poisoned group received a TNT oral dose of 100 mg/kg body weight daily 6 times weekly for 6 wk, and the protected group were administered a Solanum hainanense hance solution dose of 6 g/kg body weight daily 4 h before receiving the same dose as the poisoned group. They were followed up for 6 wk. Body and liver weights were measured, tissues were histopathologically examined and laboratory tests (glucose, MetHb, -SH concentrations and serum AST, ALT) were done at the end of the experiment. The results were as follows: Serum AST and ALT activities were significantly different in the three groups (Control group: 280 ± 107 and 55.2 ± 22.5 U/l; Poisoned group: 486 ± 267 and 102.8 ± 44.9 U/l; Protected group: 288 ± 164 and 78.3 ± 9.6 U/l). MetHb, glucose and -SH concentrations were changed by TNT, and these changes were increased in the Solanum hainanense hance-protected group but the increase was not statistically significant. The cut off point at 1483 mg and ratios of hepatomegaly were significantly different in the three groups (Control group: 1/12; Poisoned group: 10/12; Protected group: 6/12). The cut off point at 58.7% and ratios of increase in density of the liver and of body weights were significantly different in the three groups (Control group: 1/12; Poisoned group; 6/12; Protected group 3: 1/12). Histological examination of the livers showed normal histological features in control mice, histopathological lesions in TNT poisoned mice and the alleviation of TNT-induced lesions in protected mice. TNT has caused histopathological lesions and changed liver function tests. These lesions and changes in biochemical tests could be significantly restricted by Solanum hainanense Hance solution. The results suggest that Solanum hainanense hance could protect against TNT induced liver damage.
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  • Kul-Cheng ZHENG, Makoto ARIIZUMI, Hidemi TODORIKI, Masaki SHINJO
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 279-284
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Cytokine Production by Splenocytes and Thymocytes in Mice after Intranasal Exposure to Toluene Diisocyanate: Kui-Cheng ZHENG, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus—To determine the status and the role of cytokines in occupational asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI), we performed a quantitative analysis of cytokine profiles by means of splenocytes and thymocytes from an asthmatic murine model induced by TDI. Female BALB/c mice were treated with two courses of intranasal application of 5% TDI in ethyl acetate for 5 consecutive days each time separated by a one week rest. The control group of mice were similarly treated with vehicle. A week after the second sensitization, both groups of mice were provoked by applying 2.5% of TDI in vehicle, and nasal responses were scored for ten minutes. The results show that the TDI-sensitized group of mice exhibited the nasal allergic-like responses of sneezing and hyperrhinorrhea. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 production by splenocytes, thymocytes and the total serum IgE level in TDI-sensitized mice were significantly higher than that in control mice. IL-2 production by splenocytes and IL-2, IFN-γ by thymocytes in both control and TDI-sensitized groups were not significantly different. IFN-γ produced by splenocytes was significantly higher in TDI-sensitized mice than that in control mice. In TDI-sensitized mice, the total serum IgE level was significantly positively correlated with IL-4 and IL-5 production by splenocytes and thymocytes, respectively. These findings suggest that splenocytes and thymocytes preferentially secrete Th2 type cytokines during murine asthma and these cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TDI-induced occupational allergic asthma.
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  • Akihito HAGIHARA, Kimio TARUMI, Akira BABAZONO, Koichi NOBUTOMO, Kaneh ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 285-292
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Work versus Non-work Predictors of Job Satisfaction among Japanese White-collar Workers: Akihito HAGIHARA, et al. Department of Health Services Management and Policy, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medicine—In the present study, we conducted a cross-sectional study of male white-collar workers in Japan, and evaluated the relative importance of work and non-work factors in deciding the level of subject''s job satisfaction. Survey data collected from white-collar workers at a large steel company in Osaka, Japan were analyzed. The results show that work factors play a more important role in predicting the subject''s work satisfaction than do nonwork factors. The majority of significant predictors of job satisfaction were related to company controlled working conditions rather than variables under the direct control of the individual. The results imply that the level of job satisfaction among the workers can be more effectively improved through the implementation of some basic policies by the company than through efforts of the workers.
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  • Xiaozhong YU, Gunnar JOHANSON, Gaku ICHIHARA, Eiji SHIBATA, Michihiro ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 293-301
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Physiologically based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Metabolic Interactions Between n-Hexane and Toluene in Humans: Xiaozhong Yu, et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine—Some animal experiments have shown that mutual metabolic inhibition takes place between n-hexane and toluene, but we have found only one report dealing with their metabolic interaction at occupationally relevant exposure levels (Bælum et al. 1998). In order to evaluate the effect of dose-dependent metabolic interaction between toluene and n-hexane, especially in occupationally relevant exposure conditions such as relevant exposure levels, physical activities and exposure patterns, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for co-exposure to nhexane and toluene was developed. The PBPK model for the binary co-exposure was established by initially validating or refining the existing PBPK models for n-hexane and toluene and then linking the individual solvent models via the hepatic metabolism terms. In reporting previous findings, noncompetitive inhibition was assumed and the inhibition constant of toluene on n-hexane biotransformation and that of n-hexane on toluene biotransformation used in simulation were 7.5, 30 μm, respectively, in previous data. According to the model, 8 h of constant exposure to 50 ppm nhexane and 25, 50, 100 and 500 ppm toluene will cause about 7%, 18%, 62% and 96% decreases in the urinary excretion of 2, 5-hexanedione (2, 5-HD) and 4%, 10%, 25% and 30% increases in the n-hexane concentration in blood at the end of the fifth day of exposure simulated in a standard man at a 25 W work load. Simulations of co-exposure to 50 ppm n-hexane and 50 ppm toluene in a standard man who inhaled 50 ppm n-hexane with 0 or 50 ppm toluene for 8 h at different work loads suggest that toluene causes a slight decrease in urinary 2, 5-HD in the resting condition, a 17% decrease at 25 W, and a 41% decrease at 50 W work load. The simulations of co-exposure in different exposure patterns with the same time-weighted concentration (TWA) of 50 ppm, i.e. 50 ppm for 8 h, 100 ppm of 4 times for 1 h and 200 ppm of twice for 1 h, showed reductions in urinary 2, 5-HD of 17%, 40% and 67%, respectively. These simulations suggest that coexposure to n-hexane and toluene around 50 ppm (TWA) could affect urinary n-hexane metabolites to various degrees depending on the fluctuations in exposure concentrations and variety of work activities in the workplace.
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  • Yuji KARASAKI, Hajime URANO, Akira SHIRAHATA, Ziro NAMBU, Taro OHJI, M ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 302-306
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Increase in DNA and Protein Syntheses in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Treated with Asbestos: Yuji KARASAKI, et al. School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health—When human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with crocidolite asbestos, HUVECs phagocytized the fibers; no cytotoxic effect was observed when treated at concentrations lower than 10 μg/ml for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The time-dependent effect of crocidolite asbestos on DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in HUVECs was studied. The DNA synthesis of the cells exhibited the maximum augmentation (150%) at 24 h, and the protein synthesis increased to the maximal value (140%) at 36 h. The dose-dependent effect of crocidolite asbestos on DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in HUVECs was also studied. The maximum increases in DNA synthesis and protein synthesis were observed at 5 μg/ml and at 10 μg/ml of the fibers, respectively. An apparent increase in DNA synthesis may be mainly due to the repair of DNA damage induced by asbestos under our present experimental conditions, but also in part due to the mitogenic effect of asbestos. Cell injury and DNA damage will remain for a while in the cells, and asbestos fibers phagocytized into cells may induce not only specific but also nonspecific gene transcriptions, which might promote mutations in HUVECs and asbestosis.
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  • Maxia DONG, Martin R. PETERSEN, Mark J. MENDELL
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 307-312
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Using Pilot Data to Estimate Sample Size and Compare Question Forms for a Crossover Study: Maxia DONG, et al. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—A pilot study was conducted on thirty office workers to help determine if a scannable form of symptom severity questions would yield similar results as a nonscannable form. There were three goals of the pilot study: first, to observe if, in a questionnaire using two forms of Visual Analog Scales (VAS), questions using a scannable sequence of “boxes” for responses would elicit different mean responses than questions using unbroken “lines” ; second, to observe if questions using a sequence of “boxes” would elicit different within person and week response variability than questions using unbroken “lines”; and third, to estimate the sample size needed for a crossover study, depending on the particular form of the question used, and the number of crossovers. The pilot study, consisting of three sequential weekly questionnaires, provided week, subject, and error variance components for each of three dependent variables from the two different VAS forms. Most of the calculations were performed with a log transformation of the data. For each VAS form, the number of subjects necessary for desired study power for each symptom was calculated. Based on this pilot study, neither the mean nor the within person and week variance component was consistently larger or smaller for the VASbox form than for the VASline form. The linear models analysis showed that the two forms filled out by the same person on the same day had similar mean values and were highly correlated for all symptoms (R2≥0.95). Thus we chose the VASbox form because of scanner compatibility and estimated the required number of subjects for our full-scale study based on this chosen form.
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  • M.L. SCAPELLATO, G. MARCUZZO, G. MASTRANGELO, G. SESSA, M. CELLINI, E. ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 313-318
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Environmental and Biological Monitoring of Styrene Exposure: Urinary Excretion of D-Glucaric Acid Compared with Exposure Indices: M.L. SCAPELLATO, et al. Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Padova—Styrene, oxidized by liver microsomal enzymes, can determine a liver enzyme induction. Urinary excretion of Dglucaric acid (DGA), which is believed to estimate this effect, was measured in 27 workers exposed to styrene in a fiberglass plant and in 27 control subjects in order to make a comparison with environmental and biological exposure indices. In exposed workers, airborne concentrations (8-h TWA) of styrene varied between 9 and 415 mg/m3, with styrene metabolites [sum of mandelic acid (MA) + phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA)] ranging from 93 to 2130 mg/g Cr in endshift urine samples collected on a Thursday, and from 45 to 792 mg/g Cr in samples taken before work the following morning. The correlation coefficient (r) between 8-h TWAs and sum of urinary metabolites MA + PGA was 0.92 (y=4.06x-36.05; p<0.001) for Thursday endshift (ES) samples, and 0.84 (y=1.46x + 46.82; p<0.001) for Friday morning samples (beginning of shift: BS). Urinary excretion of MA correlated better with exposure than that of PGA (MA: ES r=0.91; BS r=0.86. PGA: ES r=0.80; BS r=0.76). ES and BS levels of DGA in exposed subjects (equal to 4.41 ± 1.57 and 4.01 ± 1.18 mmol/mol Cr respectively) were both significantly higher than the 2.93 ± 0.88 observed in 27 control subjects (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between individual exposure to styrene evaluated by the environmental concentration or by urinary metabolites and urinary excretion of DGA. Furthermore, both ES and BS urinary DGA levels increased across three classes of styrene exposure (<100, 101-200, and >200 mg/m3, respectively, including 10, 7 and 10 workers). The DGA difference between the most exposed and the not exposed subjects was significant (ES-DGA: z=4.03 and p<0.05; BS-DGA: z=3.16 and p<0.05; Kruskall-Wallis test), but individual pairwise comparisons among all other groups were not. In spite of the above results, no significant correlation was found between individual exposure to styrene and urinary excretion of DGA, so that this biomarker cannot be used to monitor the exposure effects on an individual basis.
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  • Virasakdi CHONGSUVIVATWONG, Suparb PAS-ONG, Skulrat RITSMITHCHAI, Loui ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 319-324
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    A Multi-Centre Cross-Sectional Survey on Safety at Construction Sites in Thailand, 1994-1995: Construction Worker Research Group of Thailand—A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted under a uniform protocol in rapidly developing municipal areas in eight provinces of Thailand: Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Pisanulok, Khon Kaen, Nong Kai, Hat Yai and Phuket. Altogether information was collected by structured questionnaire interviews and inspection from 184 construction sites, 242 subcontractors, 171 workers'' camps and 3614 workers. Males comprised 66% of the workers. 47% of the workers had worked 4 or more years in the industry. The majority (78%) had come from an agricultural background. Standards of education were uniformly low. Companies on small construction sites provided less protection facilities than at large scale construction sites and the injury rate in the former was 1.83 times higher. A nail in the foot was the most common injury (61%) resulting in stopping work. The overall incidence of injuries resulting in stopping work averaged 1.5 per 100 worker-months. Twelve workrelated deaths were recorded at the construction sites studied. Causes were fall (4), electrocution (4), machinery (2) falling object (1) vehicle (1). The workrelated death rate was 68 per 100, 000 worker-years (95%Cl 35-118). This rate is 2-5 times higher than those reported in western countries. Construction sites in Thailand have poor safety measures. The injury incidence rate and mortality rate are high.
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  • Akiko OHTA, Kazuo TAKEUCHI, Yosiaki SASAZAWA, Shosuke SUZUKI
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 325-333
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Differences in Lifestyle and Perceived Health in Different Occupations in a Community: Akiko OHTA, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine—It has been reported that morbidity and mortality vary according to occupation. To clarify factors which account for these differences, lifestyle, social network, job satisfaction and perceived health were measured in 1, 165 men 40-59 years old residing in a rural village in Gunma, Japan. Comparisons were made of four occupational groups: agricultural and forestry workers, the self-employed, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. Agricultural and forestry workers had less obesity, good social networks with relatives and local community, lower job satisfaction, and less subjective physical symptoms and psychological complaints. The self-employed had higher job satisfaction but felt their jobs were hard. Bluecollar workers had lower job satisfaction, felt that their job was hard, and had the most subjective physical symptoms and psychological complaints. White-collar workers were the most obese, ate more Western-style foods, had more physical exercise, higher job satisfaction, did not feel the job was hard, had stronger marriage ties, and had fewer subjective physical symptoms and psychological complaints. These differences may account for differences in morbidity and mortality by occupation, and will provide useful information for health care planning in the respective occupational group. For example, improved health care will be needed for blue-collar workers who had the poorest perceived health in the community.
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  • Toru TAKEBAYASHI, Isamu KABE, Yu''ichi ENDO, Shigeru TANAKA, Hiroyuki ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 334-338
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Exposure to 2, 2-Dichloro-1, 1, 1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) and Acute Liver Dysfunction: A Causal Inference: Toru TAKEBAYASHI, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University-Acute liver dysfunction has been reported among workers repeatedly exposed to 2, 2-dichloro-1, 1, 1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123), a substitute for trichlorofluoromethane. Causality between occupational exposure to HCFC-123 and liver dysfunction was examined. Levels of exposure to HCFC-123 were estimated retrospectively by reproducing working conditions and by a job record survey. Health surveillance, including liver function and subjective symptoms, was done when two workers first complained of ill health. The mean HCFC-123 concentration in air was more than 200 ppm with a peak concentration of about 1, 000 ppm in a processing area where HCFC-123 was used. HCFC-123 of 18-24 ppm was detected in the adjunct areas where HCFC-123 vapor was not generated. Workers (n=14) were then classified into high (n=5) and low (n=9) exposure groups according to the estimated exposure level, which was confirmed by determination of urinary trifluoroacetic acid. Mean serum AST and ALT levels were 236 IU/l and 476 IU/l among the high-exposed workers, and exceeded 500 IU/l in three workers. Various types of symptoms involving the central nervous system and digestive organs, and irritation of the mucous membrane, were also experienced. The degree and prevalence of these health effects were higher in the high exposure group, which indicates the exposure-effect and exposure-response relationships. The consistency and temporality of the relationship between HCFC-123 exposure and the obsewed health effects were also confirmed. We conclude that repeated exposure to high concentrations of HCFC-123 for no more than five weeks causes acute severe liver dysfunction with various symptoms in humans. Biological plausibility must be clarified to confirm the causalit.
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  • Kumiko TAJIMA, Kazuo TAKEUCHI, Shosuke SUZUKI
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 339-344
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
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    Risk Factors for Liver Dysfunction in Middle Aged Men based on Four Year Health Examination Data: Kumiko TAJIMA, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine-In order to develop a better lifestyle improvement program, the relationship between lifestyle and changes in liver function were compared through data-linkage of a self-administered questionnaire to the results of annual health examinations over 4 years. In this study, 2, 511 male subjects aged 40-69 yr were asked to fill in the questionnaire. Of these, 824 subjects had a health examination in 1993. Two hundred and twenty-eight of these remained within the normal range in liver function tests (LFT) in each of annual health examinations between 1994 and 1996, whereas 63 had worsened LFT results after the initial examination and were therefore called the decreased liver function (DLF) group. Controls age-matched to the DLF group were chosen from the normal liver function group. Discriminant function analysis was carried out to identify the differences between the DLF group and the control group. The independent variables were selected from the variables which showed significant differences in the univariate analysis, considering multicollinearity. The independent variables used for the discriminant analysis were therefore alcohol consumption, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), BMI and “aggression” by THI. The Wilks'' Lambda value was 0.787 (p value=0.0001). The overall correct identification rate in the discriminant analysis was 75.0%. The results of the present study suggest that men who are heavy drinkers, hypertensive, obese and aggressive had a high risk of developing liver dysfunction within a few years, even if their LFT values were within normal limits in any single year.
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  • Takashi MUTO, Koko KUNITSUKA, Katsuko TANIYAMA, Hiroshi MOMOTANI
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 345-347
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
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  • Shigeru TANAKA, Isamu KABE, Toru TAKEBAYASHI, Yu''ichi ENDO, Hiroyuki ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 348-349
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
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  • Ginette TRUCHON, Denis BÉGIN, Jacques LESAGE, Diane TALBOT, Dan ...
    1998 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 350-355
    Published: 1998
    Released on J-STAGE: April 07, 2006
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Urinary Excretion of Thioethers Related to Styrene Exposure: Ginette TRUCHON et al. Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québeo, Canada-The objective of this study was to test the suitability of styrene-specific mercapturic acids as urinary bioindicators of occupational styrene exposure. The excretion of mandelic acid (MA), global thioethers and styrene-specific mercapturic acids was measured in urine samples from 64 workers employed in three companies fabricating glass fiber-reinforced polyester products. Global thioethers were measured by a spectrophotometric method while MA and specific mercapturic acids, N-acetyl-S-(1-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (M1) and N-acetyl-S-(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (M2), were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography with UV detection. Excretion of M1 and M2 was qualitatively verified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The environmental measurements were carried out with passive dosimeters. Workers had 8-h TWA exposure levels ranging from O to 667 mg/m3. End-of-shift MA excretion ranged from O to 2.08 mmol/mmol creatinine and was well correlated with environmental styrene exposure (r=0.91, p<0.001). M1 and M2 were detected (i.e. above ca. I μmol/mmol creatinine) in urine samples of only three workers who were exposed to various concentrations of styrene. End-of-shift excretion of global thioethers was found to be significantly correlated to cigarette consumption as well as to styrene exposure, as measured by end-of-shift MA excretion. In opposition to data from rats, our results indicate that humans exposed to styrene excrete little styrene-specific thioethers. The apparent inter-individual variability in excretion of M1 and M2 suggests that they may not constitute suitable indicators of occupational styrene exposure.
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