SOLVENT EXPOSURE, ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND LIVER-INJURY IN WORKERS MANUFACTURING PAINT

Liver enzyme activity was examined in 89 South African paint makers cu rrently exposed to a mixture of organic solvents at fairly low levels. However, the duration of exposure was substantial for many. Fifty-eig ht workers (65%) had at least one enzyme value above the upper referen ce limit. Gamma glutamyl transferase (gammaGT) activity was elevated i n 46% of the workers and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) in 52%. In a comparison between workers with high and low solvent exposure, the g ammaGT and ASAT values were higher in the most exposed group (eg, gamm aGT mean 108 versus 69 U . l-1, P>0.05). Adjustment for confounding by alcohol consumption and body mass index eliminated the differences du e to exposure. It was concluded that the measures of liver injury used did not demonstrate solvent-induced hepatic damage but that excessive alcohol consumption was an important factor.