Open AccessCytogenetic and hematological effects in plastics workers exposed to styrene.
Author(s) -
Lars Hagmar,
Benkt Högstedt,
Hans Welinder,
Anton Karlsson,
F Rassner
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1871
Subject(s) - styrene , micronucleus test , pokeweed mitogen , peripheral blood , medicine , white blood cell , occupational exposure , toxicology , physiology , immunology , biology , chemistry , genetics , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , toxicity , environmental health , organic chemistry , copolymer , in vitro , polymer
For 20 glass-reinforced plastics workers exposed to styrene and 22 unexposed referents, the frequency and size distribution of micronuclei were determined for lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen, and white blood cell counts were made. Furthermore, chromosome aberrations were scored for 11 of the exposed subjects and 15 of the referents. The mean level of styrene in the breathing zone of the workers was 56 mg/m3. Workers exposed to styrene did not show an increase in any of the cytogenetic end points studied when the effect of age and smoking was allowed for in a multiple regression analysis. A significant 30% increase in the number of peripheral monocytes was observed for the exposed workers. No correlations between the cytogenetic and hematological tests on one hand and the length of exposure time on the other could be detected.