Immunological analyses of peripheral leukocytes from workers at an ethical narcotics manufacturing facility

Details

• Personal Author:
  Biagini, Raymond E. ; Henningsen GM ; Klincewicz SL
• Description:
  A study was conducted of the changes in lymphocyte cell surface antigens, lymphoblastogenesis response to mitogens, and differential white blood cell counts caused by occupational opiate exposure in factory workers. Thirty three morphine processing workers with complaints of work related dyspnea, wheezing, headache, malaise, tiredness and skin reactions were enlisted in the study. Eight workers with no known occupational opiate exposure were also included. Breathing zone air samples were taken and analyzed via high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine levels of codeine (76573) and morphine (57272). No significant differences were seen in the hematologic parameters and immunoglobulin levels of the groups, except for an increase in the number of basophils present in the opiate exposed workers. Elevated levels of some species of B-cells and T-cells were also seen in this group, as was also a reduction in lymphocyte proliferation. The authors conclude that occupational opiate exposure effects changes in the profile of circulating peripheral blood leukocytes, or the expression of leukocyte surface receptors, but that the relevance of these changes to opiate induced asthma is still unclear. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Narcotics Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Pharmacies Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Blood-cells Humans Immune-system NIOSH-Author Occupational-exposure Occupational-respiratory-disease Pharmaceutical-industry
• ISSN:
  0003-9896
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  7-12
• Volume:
  50
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00226215
• Citation:
  Arch Environ Health 1995 Jan; 50(1):7-12
• CAS Registry Number:
  Codeine (CAS RN 76-57-3) ; Morphine (CAS RN 57-27-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Archives of Environmental Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7c0596ad7f93a5ac374e15f29b9ab55d21b75f17e96f9f91464b6524838fabb6b56bca43ec4717520385361675d554eb0c39f310c768f6a5a23cab9987da42e0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/204883/cdc_204883_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 674.65 KB ]