[Effect of dimethylformamide on the health status of workers]

Results are reported of the clinical examination and some laboratory tests performed in a group of workers, employed in the production of polyacrylnitryl fibers "Bulana" at the oil- processing and chemical works in Burgas, who have been exposed for 3 to 5 years to dimethylformamide (DMF). DMF concentrations in the air of the work environment were within the threshold ones, or exceeded them from 3 to 6 times. The most common constitutional symptoms were: fatigue, weakness, numbness of the extremities, eye and throat irritation. The results of physical examination were comparatively scanty. In spite of careful search, liver function and hemopoiesis were normal, neither were significant arterial pressure variations observed. These data will be used as baseline for comparison in a furture study of the technological staff, working in contact with DMF.