LIVER-FUNCTION ALTERATIONS IN SYNTHETIC LEATHER WORKERS EXPOSED TO DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of chronic liver function al terations was performed in 75 workers employed in a synthetic leather factors exposed to dimethylformamide (DMF) air concentrations below th reshold limit values (30 mg/m(3)). Biological monitoring among workers revealed acceptable urine levels of monomethylformamide (NMF) on aver age, but the very wide range indicated that occasional overexposure wa s possible. The worker survey showed a high percentage of disulfiram l ike symptoms (50%) and liver function abnormalities (22.7%), compared with a demographically similar group of unexposed workers. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) revealed that enzyme levels were significantly highe r in exposed workers than in controls after data were corrected for ag e, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and cholesterol levels. The a uthors conclude that DMF can cause liver diseases even if air TLVs are respected because accidental contact with liquid DMF can significantl y increase DMF uptake. In this situation, air monitoring is no longer sufficient to evaluate worker exposure.