Drinking habits and laboratory tests in seamen with and without chemical exposure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in drinking habits among seamen exposed to organic solvents and other hydrocarbon compounds compared to unexposed seamen. Information about alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems was obtained by using an abbreviated version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, as well as additional questions about the quantity of alcohol consumption. Also, tests of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and mean corpuscular volume were performed to reveal possible chronic toxic effects of chemical exposure and alcohol consumption, as physicians often use these blood tests in their health controls of seamen. The relationships between chemical exposure, age, smoking and alcohol consumption and results from blood tests were analyzed by using multiple regression analyses. Seamen exposed to organic solvents and other hydrocarbon compounds had more alcohol-related problems and more months of heavy drinking than did unexposed seamen. The previous year's alcohol consumption was similar in the two groups. A relationship between alcohol consumption and chemical exposure was not found. No correlation was found between chemical exposure and the results from the blood tests. Routine monitoring of gamma-glutamyl transferase and mean corpuscular volume did not seem useful in the evaluation of chemical hazards.