Review article
Early detection of the haematotoxic effect of benzene - the imperative of occupational medicine today
A. Bogadi-Šare
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Surveillance of workers exposed lo benzene calls for a complex approach. This includes the de-termination of benzene concentration in the working atmosphere, which, according to standards applied in Croatia, should not exceed 15 ppm. In the developed countries the allowable workplace level has been reduced to 1 ppm. The monitoring of benzene metabolites in the organism of exposed workers is also necessary. As an indicator of benzene exposure, the urinary phenol concentration determined before and after work in the middle of the week has been generally: accepted in Croatia. An essential laboratory test is a complete blood count including red cell indices. Other haematological tests that might be valuable early indicators of benzene haematotoxicity need to be more fully evaluated. Alterations in any of these indicators are not pathognomonic and all findings should therefore be interpreted at the same time and with caution. Early detection of benzene haematotoxicity can be accomplished by continuous health monitoring of exposed workers through preplacement and periodic health examinations. This is in accordance with the requires of modern occupational medicine which requires identification of early changes and prevention o irreversible benzene induced toxic changes in the haematopoietic system.
Keywords
haematotoxicity; exposure to benzene; laboratory tests; occupational exposure
Hrčak ID:
148221
URI
Publication date:
21.12.1992.
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