[Changes in the activity of mixed-function oxidases in workers in an artificial silk plant]

The carbon sulfide effect on the oxidase mixed function activity (OMF) is studied in 172 workers from plant producing artificial silk, distributed in 5 groups, according to index of exposure, defining the strength and duration of the toxic effect. The OMF activity is evaluated by giving aminopyrine and determining its metabolites in urine. The exposure to carbon sulfide effects the OMF activity. It is expressed by inhibition of OMF, manifested most frequently in quality controllers and transporters (31%) and heads of shift and section foremen (25%). In the remaining groups the OMF inhibition, estimated after the first aminopyrine metabolite, varies from 16% to 21%. Even more significant are the changes in the excretion of the second metabolite, where the deviation of the referent values reaches 56% for IInd group, 55% in IIIrd group and 45% in Ist group.