Effect of acrylate chemistry on human health.

Objectives: The prospective cohort study of 1992-1999 describes the effect of occupational exposure to chemical substances in the production of acrylic acid, acrylic acid esters and acrylate dispersions at the various workplaces of one chemical plant.

Methods: Exposure to selected chemicals (acrylonitrile, n-butanol, butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, toluene, and styrene) was determined by personal passive dosimetry (GC/MS method). The annual examinations included general health, by guided interview, a general medical examination, hematological and biochemical examinations, examination of the parameters of serum immunity and selected tumor markers, and spirometry.