[Increased diuresis and urinary output of glycosaminoglycans in workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibrations]

The volume of urine andurinary output of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) have been investigated daily during 8-hrs shift (5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) within five consecutive days (from Monday to friday) in 24 workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibrations (hand-formers) and in 20 control not exposed workers. Total amount of GAG was determined by carbazole reaction. The average 8-hrs volume of urine was significantly higher in hand-formers than in control workers. Total average 8-hrs volume of urine amounted to 550+/- +/-194 cc in hand-formers and 430+/-180 cc in control workers. The average 8-hrs urinary output of GAG was also higher in hand-formers than in control workers, but the difference was statistically significant in first, fourth and fifth day of investigation. The total 8-hrs output of GAG was in the average 4.34+/-1.86 mg in hand-formers and 3.38+/-1.44 in control workers with the difference significant at p less than 0.001. The results of the investigation suggest that vibration transmitted to the body could be accompanied by increased urinary output of some connective tissue components which might be of interest in evaluation of exposure.