Occupational chronic exposure to organic solvents. XI. Alkylbenzene exposure of varnish workers: effects on hematopoetic system.

Thirty-five spraymen, who were varnishing vehicles with alkyd-, phenol- and polyestervarnishes, which were dissolved in solvent mixtures mainly containing o-, m-, p-xylene and ethylbenzene, have been investigated. The concentrations of these solvents in air were 2.1, 7.9, 2.8 and 4.0 ppm on average. The levels of alkylbenzenes in blood and those of their metabolites in urine have been determined. At two of the six working places the spraymen were additionally exposed to n-butanol, respectively 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and several C9-aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of the lacquers contained lead pigments. Alterations of blood cell counts have been observed under the described conditions of exposure. On average the number of lymphocytes was higher than that of segmented granulocytes. Erythrocytes and hemoglobin level of the spraymen were lower than those of the controls.