Drinking habits and occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics at low doses

The aim of this study was to evaluate certain indicators which are an expression of hepatic (serum aminotransferases activities) and hematologic (erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume) changes among health care personnel exposed to inhalation anaesthetics (nitrous oxide and isoflurane). A total of 172 subjects employed in a single hospital were divided into four groups according to exposure and drinking habits: group (i) non drinkers and unexposed subjects, group (ii) drinkers and unexposed subjects, group (iii) non drinkers and exposed subjects, group (iv) drinkers and exposed subjects. No change in aminotransferases activity or in mean erythrocyte size was detected, which could be regarded as the result of anesthetics exposure. Increased aspartate aminotransferase values among unexposed drinkers were related to alcohol intake. This observation was confirmed by the relationship between AST behaviour and quantitative alcohol intake. Hence, when studying any effect involving functions related to the biotransformation of xenobiotics, in which the liver plays a primary role, the importance of establishing the exact daily amount of ethanol intake is stressed.