IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO HEXACHLOROBENZENE

The serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) concentrations of 52 chlor inated-exposed workers were examined and compared with those of non-ex posed, age-and sex-matched individuals. At the time of testing, the ex posed population had mean hexachlorobenzene (HCB) blood levels of 3.84 mu g/dl with a range of 0.1 to 16 mu g/dl. Increased IgG and IgM leve ls were found in the HCB-exposed workers (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectiv ely). Hepatic function was evaluated by serum aspartate (AST) and alan ine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, as well as by bilirubin levels. IgM concentrations were positively correlated with three of the studi ed parameters, namely, length of exposure (r=0.367) and the activities of both AST (r=0.367) and ALT (r=0.507).