Release of interleukin-1 beta from peripheral blood monocytes and its concentration in the blood serum of the workers employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos.

Our earlier investigations of people exposed to chlorfenvinphos revealed obstructive impairment of pulmonary function and changes in collagen metabolism. In order to evaluate the role of interleukin-1 beta in the development of these changes the serum interleukin-1 beta concentration and the ability of spontaneous and LPS stimulated production of interleukin-1 beta by monocytes were determined in 25 males aged 33-54 years and employed at the department producing chlorfenvinphos (its air concentration did not exceed permissible levels). Higher spontaneous production of interleukin-1 beta was found; the remaining parameters did not differ significantly as compared to the control group of 23 healthy males.

Biochemical evaluation of the liver function in workers employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos.

In order to assess the liver damage caused by chlorfenvinphos, all the workers employed at the production of this compound were examined twice, 9 years apart. Serum concentration of bilirubin, protein components and the activity of some selected enzymes--red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE), serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptydase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) were determined in 41 males on the first examination. On the second examination serum bilirubin concentration and the activity of AChE, ChE, AP and ALT were determined in 35 males.

The assessment of nephrotoxic effect of organophosphorous pesticides based on the determination of the activity of some selected enzymes in urine.

Pesticides and their metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys. The effect of these compounds on the kidney parenchyma was evaluated on the basis of determinations of the activity of the following enzymes: alkaline phosphate, N-acetylglucosaminidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and arginase in urine of workers employed at the department producing organophosphorous pesticides (32 males and 53 females) as well as those employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos (35 males). The activity of most of the estimated enzymes was significantly higher as compared to control groups.

The role of respiratory muscles in the impairment of the respiratory system function in the workers of a chemical plant division producing pesticides.

Workers of a chemical plant department producing dust and liquid pesticides (37 males and 17 females) exposed to dust containing free silica, organic solvents and active substances, among others: organophosphate compounds, pyrethroids, triazines, carbamates and dithiocarbamates, 2,4-D, captan, carboxine, carbendazim and dodine were studied. Spirometric investigations, including evaluation of vital capacity (VC), 1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and its percentage index (FEV1%VC), peak expiratory flow and maximal end-expiratory flow (MEF25), were performed directly at the workplace. At the same time mouth inspiratory pressures (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressures (MEP) were evaluated.