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Med. Pr. 2000;51(3)

Assessment of some biochemical factors of nasal mucosa in workers occupationally exposed to inhaled chemicals

Ocena niektórych czynników biochemicznych błony śluzowej nosa u pracowników narażonych zawodowo na wziewne substancje chemiczne

L. Pośpiech, E. Kapuścińska, E. Przerwa-Tetmajer

Abstract

The aim of the work was to assesses the selected biochemical markers in nasal lavages obtained from 101 workers employed at a paint and lacquer factory who were exposed to inhalation of toxic substances. The concentrations of total protein and glycoconjugates were measured. The relationship was found between the concentration of substances under study, the clinical symptoms, and length of exposure. The increased levels of total protein and glycoconjugates were observed in workers with shorter period of employment, whereas those employed for longer period of time showed lower concentrations of both markers. The concentrations of the markers were also correlated with the progress of clinical symptoms. Workers with short employment showed mainly congestional changes, but in workers with longer exposure, atrophical changes in mucous membrane were observed. The results confirmed the usefulness of these markers in the objective assessment of the nasal mucosa condition.