Occupational exposure to cis-l,3-dichloropropene: biological effect monitoring of kidney and liver function

Objectives-To investigate the possible effects of occupational exposure to the nematocide cis-1,3-dichloropropene (cis-DCP) on function of the kidney and liver in the starch potato growing region in The Netherlands. Methods-The study involved 13 commercial application workers exposed to cis -DCP for 117 days, and 22 matched control workers. The inhalatory exposure of the application workers was estimated hom biological monitoring data. Al l workers collected urine and serum samples before, during, and after the f umigation season for monitoring of variables for kidney and liver function. Renal effect variables were alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), N-acetyl-beta -D -glucosaminidase (NAG), retinol binding protein (RBP), and albumin (ALB) in urine, and beta (2)-microglobulin (beta M-2-S) and creatinine in serum (Cr eat-S). Liver variables were alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate ami notransferase (ASAT), gamma -glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), alkaline phospha tase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBIL) in serum and the urinary ratio of 6- beta -hydroxycortisol to free cortisol (beta OHC/COR). Results-The geometric mean exposure of the application workers was 2.7 mg/m (3) (8 hour time weighted average (8 hour TWA)); range 0.1-9.5 mg/m(3). No differences were found between the values of the renal effect variables or the liver variables of the exposed group and the control group, except a lo wer urinary ratio of beta OHC/COR in the exposed group. This was not consid ered to be related to the exposure to cis-DCP. No dose-effect relations wer e found between the exposure indices and the effect variables. Conclusions-The present study does not provide evidence that occupational e xposure to cis-DCP in the starch potato growing region causes adverse effec ts on the kidney or liver at 8 hour TWA exposure Leiden, The concentrations below 9.5 mg/m(3) (2 ppm).