Molecular, cytogenetic, and hematologic effects of ethylene oxide on female hospital workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boeniger, Mark F. ; Halperin, William E. ; Schulte, Paul A. ; Tsuchiya Y ; Walker, James T.
• Description:
  The results of a study of molecular, cytogenetic, and hematologic effects in ethylene-oxide (75218) exposed female hospital workers were presented. The study group consisted of 36 women employed in nine hospitals in the US, mean age 43.6 years, and 22 women, mean age 29.4 years, employed at a hospital in Mexico. They had experienced cumulative ethylene-oxide exposures of 0 to 32+ parts per million (ppm) hours. On a time weighted average basis, the ethylene-oxide exposures were generally below the OSHA standard of 1ppm. The subjects completed a questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics, occupational history, potential ethylene-oxide exposure, smoking, consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, and medical history including details on exposure to diagnostic X-rays. Standard hematologic parameters were measured. The hemoglobin was isolated to assess formation of hydroxyethylhemoglobin (HOETHb) adducts. The lymphocytes were harvested to determine sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei induction. Significant exposure related increases in HOETHb adduct concentrations and SCE and micronuclei frequencies were seen in the US hospital workers after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, and other potential confounders. Induction of HOETHb adducts showed an exposure related increase in the Mexican workers. No association between ethylene-oxide exposure and SCE and micronuclei frequency was seen in the Mexican workers. Exposure related decreases in hematocrits, hemoglobin concentrations, and relative neutrophil counts and increases in relative lymphocyte counts were seen in the US workers. No statistically significant changes in the hematologic parameters were seen in the Mexican workers. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positive exposure relation with relative lymphocyte counts and a negative exposure relation with relative neutrophil counts in the US workers after controlling for confounders. In the Mexican workers, a positive exposure relation was seen with absolute and relative neutrophil counts. The authors conclude that exposure to ethylene- oxide at concentrations below the OSHA standard can result in molecular and cytogenetic changes. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biochemistry Blood Health Personnel Hematologic Tests Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Biochemical-indicators Blood-cells Chemical-binding Genotoxic-effects Health-care-personnel Hematology Hemoproteins NIOSH-Author Occupational-exposure
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  313-320
• Volume:
  37
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00225640
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 1995 Mar; 37(3):313-320
• CAS Registry Number:
  Ethylene oxide (CAS RN 75-21-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:623eae3c3d0319e7665b0e9fa4799477559b4e70cf8456211982835690e27902c699ebd12cb0cee164aeca5d94c210c8ff15b35ec934d1081e08f0f4a49f616f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205126/cdc_205126_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 697.94 KB ]