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Industrial exposure to organophosphorus compounds. Studies of a group of workers with a decrease in esterase-staining
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|December 1, 1985
Summary
Organophosphate ester exposure in process workers may transiently decrease monocyte counts, but only when measured by specific automated esterase staining methods. This finding suggests a need for careful method selection in occupational health monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Occupational toxicology
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Organophosphate esters are widely used industrial chemicals.
- Exposure can lead to various health effects, including potential alterations in blood cell counts.
- Monocyte counts are a key indicator in immune function and occupational exposure assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of organophosphate ester exposure on monocyte counts in process workers.
- To evaluate the influence of different counting methods and staining techniques on observed monocyte counts.
- To explore potential adverse health consequences and biochemical changes associated with altered monocyte counts.
Main Methods:
- Automated cell counting using an esterase stain was compared with manual counting and automated counting with a different stain.
- Monocyte counts were assessed in process workers exposed to organophosphate esters and a comparison group.
- Hypersensitivity skin tests (mumps, staphylococcal phage lysate) and histology were performed.
- Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, plasma pseudocholinesterase, and lymphocyte neurotoxic esterase levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Decreased monocyte counts were observed only with an automated instrument using an esterase stain, and this effect was transient.
- No depression in monocyte counts was found using manual counting or a different automated staining method.
- No anergy was observed via skin tests, and mumps reaction histology was similar between groups.
- The transient monocyte count depression correlated with a mild reduction in erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase.
Conclusions:
- The observed decrease in monocyte counts is likely an artifact of specific automated esterase staining methods, not a true biological effect of organophosphate ester exposure.
- Occupational exposure to organophosphate esters did not lead to significant adverse immunological effects or changes in other measured esterase activities.
- Careful consideration of analytical methods is crucial when assessing occupational exposures and their potential hematological impacts.