Health Control of Workers Using Organic Solvents Part VI. Excreation of Glycine Conjugates in Urine and Change in Blood Cells of Workers Exposed to Organic Solvents in a Shipyard

Toluene and xylene are widely used as industrial solvents and it has been well known that glycine conjugates metabolites are excreted in the urine of workers using thinner. Glycine conjugates were measured in thr urine of 55 painting workers who are working in the same shop. The urine were taken from 17 workers at morning (AM. 8:00) and from 38 workers at noon (PM. 0:00). On the other hand, the blood were taken at the same time, and subjects to the examination for red blood cells, hemoglobin concentrations and white blood cells. It was indicated that the painting workers were more exposed to organic solvents during afternoon workshift. The blood cells (RBC, Hb WBC) of painting workers showed no change with working years. From these results, the relations of the thinner exposure, urinary glycine conjugates and blood cells were discussed.