Cross-sectional survey of kidney function in refinery employees

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700110207· OSTI ID:6621806

Viau, C; Bernard, A; Lauwerys, R; Buchet, J P; Quaeghebeur, L; Cornu, M E; Phillips, S C; Mutti, A; Lucertini, S; Franchini, I

We examined sensitive biochemical and immunological markers of kidney function and damage in 53 male oil refinery workers exposed to hydrocarbons and compared their results with those of a control group of 61 age-matched nonexposed males. The mean duration of employment of exposed males was 11 years. The current levels of exposure to a variety of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, as determined by personal monitoring, were well below the current threshold limit values. No difference was found in the urinary tubular parameters beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) and retinol-binding protein. Similar serum beta 2-m levels indicated no impairment of the glomerular filtration rate in the exposed workers. The levels of circulating immune complexes were also identical in both groups. The mean albuminuria was slightly higher (p less than .005) in the exposed group in a quantitative assay but was not dipstick-detectable. The mean urinary excretion of a renal antigen was also higher (p less than .05) in the exposed group and correlated with the excretion of albumin. Finally, slightly higher titers of anti-laminin antibodies were found in five exposed employees, but this was not accompanied by an increased albuminuria. We conclude that chronic low-level hydrocarbon exposure in these refinery workers does not lead to clinically significant renal abnormalities. Nevertheless, some findings are consistent with the possible role of hydrocarbon exposure in the induction of renal disturbances.

• Research Organization: Catholic Univ. of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
• OSTI ID: 6621806
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN AJIMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALBUMINURIA
ANTIBODIES
ANTIGENS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
CLEARANCE
ENERGY SOURCES
EXCRETION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FUNCTIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
KIDNEYS
MATERIALS
METABOLISM
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
URINE
WASTES