The study of immunological function and reactive oxygen species generation of white blood cells in coal chemicals workers

• Main Authors: Yen-chun Liu, 劉晏君
• Other Authors: Ping-chi Hsu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/80030934166539226100

碩士 === 國立高雄第一科技大學 === 環境與安全衛生工程所 === 95 === The production process of coal chemicals factory produced the volatile organic compounds, including benzene、toluene、ethylbenzene、xylene and naphthalene that were abbreviated in BTEXN. Few studies have addressed the effects of mixed, low-level and long-term exposures to BTEXN on a man’s immunotoxicological potential. The objectives of this study were to determine whether occupational exposure to BTEXN caused adverse effect on immunological function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of white blood cells (WBC) in coal chemicals workers. A total of 49 exposed workers and 9 control workers working on coal chemical plant were included in this studied. Questionnaires, ambient BTEXN lecels for workplace and personal sampling, urinay SPMA, tt-MA and 2-naphthol levels, parameters of immunological function as well as ROS generation of WBC were further determined. The cluster of differentiation (CD) markers of lymphocyte, including T-helper cell, T-cytoxic cells, T-cell IL-2 receptor, and T-cell proliferation markers for immunological function as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2-•) generation were analyzed using flow cytometry. In addition, cigarette smoking influence immunological function were discussed. The ambient benzene concentrations in workplace were significantly increased in exposed workers (P＜0.01). The personal ambient benzene and xylene levels were also significantly increased in exposed workers (P＜0.05). Among exposed workers, urinary SPMA levels were significantly increased in post-work shit workers than those in pre-work shit workers (P＜0.01). Although there was no significant difference between exposed and control workers in parameters of immunological function, a positive correlation was observed between the levels of urinary tt-MAl and the percentage of T-cell proliferation (r = 0.296; P = 0.0276). In addition, there was negative correlation between levels of urinary 2-naphthol and percentage of T-cytoxic cells (r = -0.309; P = 0.0296) after adjusting smoking status, indicating that the BTEXN might affect the immunological function. Among exposed workers, cigarette smokers had significantly higher H2O2 levels than non-smokers (P<0.01). To analyze various departments of workplace, we found workers in oil gas department had higher percentage of T-helper cells and T-cell proliferation markers than day-time department (P<0.05). In conclusion, a potential risk of immunotoxicity should be considered for workers long-term and low-level exposure of benzene and naphthalene. Cigarette smoking increase WBC H2O2 levels. Workers in various work types might reveal different effects in immunocytes.