Epidemiological study of the cardiovascular effects of carbon disulphide

In an extensive health survey 115 male viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulphide (CS2) and 76 referents not exposed to this chemical were interviewed using the WHO cardiovascular questionnaire and responded to a self-administered questionnaire. A 12-lead ECG was taken and coded using the Minnesota code. Blood pressure (BP) was measured electronically and blood was examined for lipoproteins. In the viscose rayon factory the working conditions had not changed since 1932. Personal monitoring performed in 17 jobs, showed exposures varying from 4 to 112 mg/m3. For each individual a CS2 cumulative exposure index (CS2 index) was calculated. There were no significant differences between exposed and referents concerning the prevalence of angina, history of myocardial infarction, intermittent claudication and ECG signs of ischaemia. Blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and the apolipoproteins A1 and B rose while high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, the HDL-cholesterol/apolipoprotein A1 and the LDL-cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratios decreased significantly with increasing exposure. Adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress and tension at work, shift work, noise exposure and educational level in multiple linear regression analysis showed significant effects of the CS2 index on systolic BP, diastolic BP, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B and HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein A1 ratios; there were no significant effects on the triglycerides.