Health Effects among Workers Involved in the Manufacture of Hexachlorocyclohexane

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Abstract
Forty-five male workers exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) during its manufacture were studied and compared with 22 matched controls. Twenty-one of the exposed workers worked in packaging and manual transport of HCH. Twenty-four other exposed workers were plant operators. Exposure was mainly through skin. Results indicate that the neurological symptoms reported were due to recent exposure to HCH and were related to the intensity of exposure. An increase in leucine aminopeptidase, ornithine carbamyl transaminase, 5'' nucleotides and immunoglobulin M levels among the exposed workers is suggestive of some degree of liver damage. A significant increase in total blood HCH and its .alpha., .beta. and .gamma. isomers was observed in these workers. In spite of pronounced exposure to the .alpha., .beta. and .gamma. isomers of HCH, signs of severe health impairment were not observed. Further biological monitoring needs to be carried out among such workers exposed to HCH.

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