[The cytogenetic effects (the frequency of micronuclei) in lymphocyte cultures from the peripheral blood of workers in automobile tire manufacture].

At the Preparatory Workshop of the Plant for Automobile Tires (PAT), Sofia, complex investigations were undertaken to reveal possible genotoxic exposure. The studies included chemical analyses for levels of identifiable human carcinogens in the occupational ambient air (benz(a)pyrene, mineral oils, 2-naphthylamine); special techniques--questionnaire investigations and cytogenetic analysis by cytokinesis-block micronucleus method in peripheral lymphocyte cultures from 23 workers in occupational groups at risk; and urinalysis for contents of mercapturic acids. An out-of-house control group of 13 nonexposed subjects was concurrently investigated.

[The toxic hygiene problems of workers in the Dinamik automobile tire plant in Sofia].

Toxic hygienic investigations were carried out involving a representative group of 131 workers (50 females and 81 males) distributed into three main workshops--preparatory, confection, and vulcanization--at "Dynamic" automobile tire plant in Sofia. The majority of male and female workers were in the age range beyond 40 years, having a general occupational experience in excess of 10 years and specialized occupational experience from 10 to 20 years or more. The chemical hazard was among the leading ones in the occupational environment, differing in nature according to the technologies used.

[The assessment of arsenic exposure in copper smelting].

The arsenic exposure in the main departments and occupational groups of the copper smelter in Pirdop has been estimated in the present study. The contents of arsenic is measured in the air and in biological samples--urine and nails. At most of the workplaces the time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations do not exceed the threshold limit value (0.

[The assessment of the occupational risk to workers in electric steel production].

These studies, centering on occupational environmental factors, biologic monitoring, and toxicodynamic investigations, involved a total of 105 workers distributed into eight job groups, who were 45 years, of age on the average and had from 5 to 10 years of special occupational experience at "Electrosteel" Works. Evidence was obtained for presence of unfavorable microclimate conditions, elevated equivalent levels of noise, excess of general and local vibrations, exposure to manganese aerosols, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides; some of the subjects and deviations in hepatic status and connective tissue. Job groups found to be at risk were those of steel founders, crane workers, and pourers.

[Epidemiological studies of the effect of organophosphate pesticides on health].

The subject of study are agricultural workers applying organophosphorus and other pesticides in an area with intensive agriculture and a control group from the same area having no professional contact with pesticides. The studies include: personal and professional anamnesis, a battery of neurobehavioral tests, electroneuromyography, evoked potentials, neurological status, internal status, hematological tests, liver enzymes, variability of the heart rhythm. The level of the exposure is assessed by: measuring the concentration of PhO compounds in the air of the work environment and deposit on the skin.