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522
Toluene exposure and changes in platelet count: a narrative review
Gabriel Machado Romão da Silva1, Eric Slawka1, Aline de Souza Espíndola Santos2
1Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Summary
Toluene exposure may affect platelet counts, but research is inconclusive due to conflicting results and co-exposure to other chemicals. More studies isolating toluene
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Hematology
Background:
- Toluene is a common solvent with known toxic effects, including neurological and hematological damage.
- Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and inflammation, and their counts can be affected by environmental exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing evidence on the relationship between toluene exposure and human platelet count.
- To identify gaps in the current research regarding toluene's hematological effects.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across three electronic databases and a digital library.
- A specific search strategy identified 64 articles, from which 14 were selected for review.
- The selected studies encompassed a total of 15,759 participants, with 13,297 exposed to toluene, primarily in environmental settings.
Main Results:
- The reviewed studies presented conflicting findings regarding the association between toluene exposure and platelet count (positive, inverse, or no association).
- Cross-contamination with other chemical substances in exposure settings complicated the assessment of toluene's specific effects.
- A significant lack of well-designed studies, particularly those isolating toluene exposure, was identified.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence on toluene's impact on platelet count is inconsistent and limited.
- Further high-quality research is necessary to clarify the relationship, focusing on toluene exposure in isolation from confounding substances.
- Understanding toluene's hematological effects requires more targeted investigations.
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