Haematological changes in house painters using epoxy paints

Haematological parameters, iso-transferrin ratio in plasma and serotonin uptake in platelets were studied in 10 men (age range 21-54 years) with occupational long-term, low level exposure to vapours from epoxy paints. The control group consisted of 10 healthy men (age range 20-48 years) not occupationally exposed to chemicals or organic solvents. The mean cellular volume of erythrocytes was significantly higher for the house painters than the controls (p less than 0.05). The plasma concentration of iso-transferrin with isoelectric point 5.7 (Tf5.7) and the ratio between Tf5.7 and total transferrin (Tftot) were significantly higher in the exposed group (p less than 0.05). The uptake of serotonin in platelets (Vmax) from the exposed workers was significantly lower than the values for the controls (p less than 0.01). The results indicate an association between the observed biological effects and the chemical exposure, and we speculate that this is caused by changes in structure and function of the cell membranes.