MODIFICATION OF SHIFTWORK EFFECTS BY CHEMICAL WORKPLACE EXPOSURE

Possible chronotoxic effects were the reason to study chemical workpla ce exposure under the special condition of shiftwork. Eight shiftworke rs occupationally exposed to acetone vapours and eight controls were i nvestigated during fast-rotated shiftwork. The mean concentration of a cetone during the shifts was close to 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m(3)). Data on well-being and acute symptoms, but not on performance, indicate that the exposure contributed mainly in an additive way to the negative eff ects of shiftwork. As a consequence, the exposed shiftworkers revealed enhanced impairments during the night-shift.