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Related Experiment Videos

Persistent liver dysfunction among workers at a vinyl chloride monomer polymerization plant.

S F Ho1, W H Phoon, S L Gan

  • 1Department of Industrial Health, Ministry of Labour, Singapore.

The Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) exposure caused liver dysfunction in 12 workers, indicated by abnormal liver function tests (LFTs). Reducing VCM levels below 1 p.p.m. prevented new cases, and most affected workers recovered after removal from exposure.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Hepatology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a chemical used in polymerization plants.
  • Chronic exposure to VCM has been linked to adverse health effects, particularly liver damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate liver dysfunction in workers exposed to VCM.
  • To identify the relationship between VCM exposure levels and liver function abnormalities.
  • To assess the impact of environmental VCM control on worker health.

Main Methods:

  • Investigation of 13 workers with persistent abnormalities in liver function tests (LFTs).
  • Analysis of employment history and environmental VCM levels (1971-1982 vs. post-1982).
  • Review of LFT results, liver scans, and liver biopsies.

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Main Results:

  • Twelve of 13 workers showed evidence of VCM-induced liver dysfunction.
  • Abnormal LFTs, particularly elevated glutamic pyruvic transaminase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, were observed.
  • Exposure between 1-21 p.p.m. VCM was linked to dysfunction; levels below 1 p.p.m. showed no new cases.
  • 83.3% of affected workers improved LFTs after removal from VCM exposure; LFTs worsened upon re-exposure.
  • Liver scans revealed hepatomegaly/splenomegaly; biopsies showed non-specific fatty changes.

Conclusions:

  • VCM exposure is a significant cause of liver dysfunction in polymerization plant workers.
  • Environmental monitoring and medical surveillance are crucial for managing VCM-exposed workers.
  • Controlling VCM levels below 1 p.p.m. is effective in preventing new cases of VCM-induced liver disease.