The evaluation of the health state of the workers occupationally exposed to low concentration of carbon disulphide (CS2). Part one: General medical examination and laboratory tests.

Prospective clinical studies were undertaken in 114 healthy men aged from 19 to 46 years (mean 26) occupationally exposed to CS2. The 62 men from the control group were undergoing examination in the same way before employment and after 5 years. The mean wages of the air concentration of CS2 at working posts was from 0 to 65 mg/m3. After 5 years of exposure no considerable differences were found in general medical examination with diastolic/systolic blood pressure measurement, resting ECG record and chest X ray examination. However in LAB test the lipid metabolism disturbances occurred. After 5 years the serum concentration of triglicerides and betalipoproteides of exposed workers were significantly higher than in the control group. The serum concentration of total cholesterol of both group was increased. The mentioned changes of lipid metabolism are the factors which indicate atherosclerotical changes in the man occupationally exposed to low concentration of CS2.