Solvent Exposure Poses Health Risk for Pathology Workers

Pathologists and laboratory technicians who handle organic solvents such as toluene and xylene are at increased risk of developing autoimmune connective tissue diseases.

A new study showed an occupational health hazard involving solvent use and Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). Other studies overseas have shown similar solvent associations, but not with people exposed to solvents at work.

“Our study of 341 medical laboratory workers indicates they are more likely to develop a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, if they are exposed to solvents such as toluene or xylene. This raises concerns they could then have further serious health complications later in life,” said lead investigator Gordon Purdie, at the department of medicine, University of Otago, (Wellington, New Zealand).

Raynaud’s phenomenon is characterized by vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels in the hands and other extremities, and is characterized by pain, color changes, and tautness or fullness of the fingers or toes. For some people it is a symptom or precursor of scleroderma, a rare connective tissue disease affecting multiple systems in the body and mainly among women.

Lab workers who worked with acetone or chlorinated solvents, combined with xylene or toluene, doubled their risk of developing RP. Risk of developing severe RP was even greater, in fact nine times.

The mainly female laboratory workers (79%) who used solvents in this study had higher rates of RP. Those who had worked with xylene or toluene doubled their risk of developing severe RP.

The study was presented at the Australian Rheumatology Association Scientific Meeting in Brisbane (QLD, Australia), which was held from May 14-17, 2011. The study also appeared online in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Rheumatology.

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University of Otago