Early detection of changes in kidney function in workers exposed to solvents and heavy metals.

Increases in urine concentration of specific proteins have been proposed as early indicators of deleterious changes in kidney function. Four urinary proteins (albumin, superoxide dismutase, transferrin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase) were measured in workers exposed to heavy metals and solvents. None of the workers had clinical evidence of renal disease or hypertension. Workers exposed to mercury had a significant increase in urinary transferring, superoxide dismutase levels were slightly increased in workers exposed to solvents and lead, follow-up of these workers is needed to confirm that these changes predict late clinical deterioration of kidney functions.