[Investigation on renal function of workers exposed to toluene and xylene]

beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M), albumin (Alb), IgG, Protein in urine were measured in 59 workers exposed to toluene, and xylene, and 70 workers not so exposed as control. The results showed that the urine levels of beta 2-M, Alb in exposed groups were significantly higher and increased progressively with increasing work time. Urinary beta 2-M showed significantly positive correlation with Alb, protein. Conformability of beta 2-M, Alb with other renal damage indexes seems better. It is suggested that toluene and xylene might cause renal damage, changes of urinary beta 2-M and Alb concentrations might be used as sensitive indexes for early detection of renal dysfunction in toluene and xylene workers.