Urinary cytology in workmen engaged in the petrochemical industry with reference to non-industrial risk factors

Urine cytology was evaluated in 8,406 male workers of 8 petrochemical factories in western and northern Germany during the routine medical check-up performed by the department of industrial medicine of the respective factory. All relevant data referring to possible private and occupational risk factors were registered and evaluated. Four percent (n = 358) of the 8,406 workers examined exhibited Pap 3/4 cytology. Urological examination did not reveal any bladder tumor in those workers with either a single Pap 4 or a repeated Pap 3 finding on cytology. Our study showed that deterioration of cell differentiation correlated significantly with age and cigarette smoking. Furthermore, a risk group (males above 40 years of age exposed to occupational chemicals, smokers, and coffee drinkers) differed from a non-risk group. Age and cigarette smoking seemed to be the determinant factors. No correlation could be adduced between any kind of industrial exposure and urine cytology.