Baelum J, Andersen I, Mølhave L
Br J Ind Med. 1982 Feb;39(1):70-5. doi: 10.1136/oem.39.1.70.
The study population comprised 52 male printers and 52 controls. Each person was interviewed about job history, general health, and work-related symptoms. Symptoms from eyes and airways, neurological symptoms, and general symptoms were recorded. A lung function test and a measurement of the sense of smell were also carried out. The printers had significantly more eye, airway, and neurological symptoms than the controls; the main complaints being irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and a reduced sense of taste. The neurological symptoms were disorders of vision, vertigo, feeling of intoxication, and headache. Furthermore, abdominal pain and flatulence occurred more often among the printers. The symptoms showed no relation to age or job seniority, but neurological and general symptoms were related to shift work. No difference in lung function was found between the two groups. The printers had a slightly lower threshold of smell than the controls. Although the total load due to organic solvents and dust in the air was far below legal limits, the number of magnitude of symptoms experienced by the printers exceeded what is supposed when norms for workroom exposure are set. It is suggested that either the irritative effects of solvents are underestimated or the assumption of additive effects when great numbers of solvents are found does not hold true. A reduction of the number of solvents by eliminating the most toxic solvents or by using dyes without solvents is suggested.
研究对象包括52名男性印刷工人和52名对照者。对每个人进行了关于工作经历、总体健康状况和与工作相关症状的访谈。记录了眼部和呼吸道症状、神经症状以及一般症状。还进行了肺功能测试和嗅觉测量。印刷工人的眼部、呼吸道和神经症状明显多于对照者；主要抱怨是眼睛、鼻子、喉咙受到刺激以及味觉减退。神经症状包括视力障碍、眩晕、中毒感和头痛。此外，印刷工人中腹痛和肠胃胀气更为常见。这些症状与年龄或工作年限无关，但神经症状和一般症状与轮班工作有关。两组之间肺功能没有差异。印刷工人的嗅觉阈值略低于对照者。尽管空气中有机溶剂和粉尘的总负荷远低于法定限值，但印刷工人所经历症状的数量级超过了设定工作场所接触标准时的预期。这表明要么是对溶剂的刺激作用估计不足，要么是当发现大量溶剂时关于相加作用的假设不成立。建议通过去除毒性最大的溶剂或使用无溶剂染料来减少溶剂的数量。
