Liver injury in subjects occupationally exposed to chemicals in low doses

The hepatic injury developing during occupational exposure to chemicals was investigated in 23 male patients, aged 23-49 years, by comparing case histories, liver function tests, hepatic microsomal enzyme activities in vivo and in vitro with histology. The subjects, 15 chemical industry workers and 8 painters, had disturbed liver tests after years of exposure to solvents, paints and lacquers. Characteristic for the patients was a 2-4-fold increase in serum aminotransferases associated with normal liver or reactive hepatitis with or without fatty liver. All patients, except subjects with fatty change, had metabolically active liver which was reflected as adaptive and toxic changes in cellular ultrastructure. The biochemical liver tests normalized within 3-6 weeks after cessation of the exposure. The findings demonstrate that occupational exposure to chemical solvents may insidiously damage the liver. The injury is detectable by biochemical, metabolic and histological investigations in the early phase.