Biochemical pattern in experimental exposure of humans to white spirit. I. The effects of a 6 hours single dose

The effect of 6 hrs single exposure to white spirit on the concentration of S-alpha-amylase, S-cholesterol, S-triglyceride, S-sodium, S-potassium, S-creatine kinase, S-orosomucoid, S-urate, and S-glucose was analysed in 12 volunteers 6 and 48 hrs after start of exposure. After exposure to 0 p.p.m. and 100 p.p.m. of each of three white spirits containing 99% paraffins or 52% paraffins and 48% naphthenes, or 57% paraffins, 25% naphthenes and 18% aromatics, respectively, the only significant changes were a decrease in S-alpha-amylase concentration and S-Potassium concentration by 9% (P less than 0.05) 48 hrs after exposure to the white spirit high in naphthenes. This type also caused the highest blood concentration. In a subsequent study on exposure to 0, 50, 100, and 200 p.p.m. of the spirit high in naphthenes the only significant dose-response relationship was that the concentration of S-alpha-amylase decreased 7% (P less than 0.05) after 6 hrs, and S-urate decreased 4% (P less than 0.05%) after 48 hrs as the doses increased. No changes in subjective symptoms were found. Thus, even at low levels, white spirit high in naphthenes appears to result in subtle biological effects prior to the appearance of symptoms of poisoning.