STUDY OF MORBIDITY OF PERSONNEL WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO VINCLOZOLIN

Objectives-To examine internal exposure and targeted health outcomes o f employees exposed to 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) -5-methyl-5-vinyl-1,3-ox azolidine-2,4-dione; chemical abstracts service (GAS) number: 50471-44 -8 (vinclozolin). Methods-A cross sectional study of 67 men exposed to vinclozolin for one to 13 years during synthesis and formulation oper ations and 52 controls. Biomonitoring was based on determination of ur inary metabolites that contained a 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5 DCA) moiet y. Targeted health endpoints were the same as in previous subchronic a nd chronic animal studies-namely, reversible changes in the concentrat ions of hormones of the adrenocorticotrophic and gonadotrophic feedbac k systems, signs of liver injury, haemolytic anaemia, cataract formati on (uniquely in rats), and hormonally induced hyperplasia and tumours at high doses. The clinical investigation consisted of a medical and o ccupational history questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory de terminations (including testosterone, LH, and FSH measurements), ultra sonography of the liver and prostate, a detailed eye examination, and routine spirometry. Results-The mean 3,5-DCA concentration for two thi rds of the study group exceeded an equivalent of the vinclozolin accep table daily intake (ADI) used for consumer regulatory purposes. Even t he highest concentrations were, however, at least 10 times below the n o observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) based on animal studies. Ana lysis of physical examination and laboratory data provided no evidence of hormonal responses induced by vinclozolin, Furthermore, no evidenc e of liver injury, prostate changes, cataract formation, or haemolytic anaemia was found, Conclusion-There was no evidence of any health eff ects induced by vinclozolin among employees with potential long term e xposure. In particular,