Adolf Vyskočil

Lack of nephrotoxicity of styrene at current TLV level (50 ppm)

SummaryBiochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 37 female workers exposed to an average concentration of 225 mg/m3 of styrene. The concentration of mandelic acid in urine was on the average 759 mg/g creatinine. The mean duration of employment of the exposed subjects was 11 years. The results were compared to those obtained in 35 control female workers matched for age and a number of demographic and lifestyle factors and with no history of exposure to organic solvents. No difference was found in the urinary excretion of albumin, beta2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, total proteins, glucose, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase and beta-N-acetyld-glucosaminidase. The present study provides thus further evidence that exposure to styrene at the current TLV (215 mg/m3) does not entail any detectable risk for the renal function.

Urinary-excretion of Proteins and Enzymes in Workers Exposed To Hydrocarbons in a Shoe Factory

SummaryA cross-sectional study was conducted to determine whether exposure to hydrocarbons in a shoe factory may produce renal effects that can be detected by determination of the urinary excretion of proteins and enzymes. The study population included 59 women who had been exposed to petroleum naphtha and toluene and 24 age-matched control women. The time-weighted average exposure to petroleum naphtha, toluene and ethyl-acetate was 1,619, 81 and 160 mg/m3, respectively. The integrity of the renal structures or functions was assessed by measuring the urinary excretion of total protein, beta2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, albumin, transferrin, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG). The only parameter that was significantly influenced by hydrocarbon exposure was the urinary activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Although the health significance of this renal change, which was not accompanied by changes in the urinary excretion of low- or high-molecular-weight proteins, is unclear, the results of the present study are in agreement with our previous observations suggesting that long-term moderate exposure to solvents does not entail a significant risk for the development of nephrotoxicity.

The Urinary Excretion of Specific Proteins in Workers Exposed to Lead

There is some evidence that lead nephropathy is associated with prolonged occupational exposure to lead. Effects of lead on kidney function occur at blood lead levels (PbB) of about 60 μg/100 ml (Ibels and Poolock 1986). The effects could involve both the renal tubules and glomerular-vascular apparatus (Hammond 1977; Ibels and Poolock 1986). In this paper, renal function, both glomerular and tubular was studied in adults who had severe occupational exposure to lead.