Objective To explore the effects of carbon disulfide on glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels of workers exposed to carbon disulfide, and make recommendations on the action level of related occupational health surveillance.
Methods Data on concentrations of carbon disulfide in workplace and the exposure levels of workers in a chemical fiber factory were collected from 2004 to 2011. A total of 3 456 workers exposed to carbon disulfide were selected for testing glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.
Results The eight-hour time-weighted average concentrations of the workers exposed to carbon disulfide were 0.2-41.0mg/m3, and the geometric mean was 2.38mg/m3. Specifically, 1758 workers were exposed to carbon disulfide ranging from 0.2 mg/m3 to 2.5 mg/m3 (Group A), 653 workers were exposed to 2.6-4.8 mg/m3 (Group B), and 1 045 workers were exposed to 5.1-41.0 mg/m3 (Group C). For male, the detection rate of elevated triglyceride of Group C was statistically higher than that of Group A or B (P<0.05), but the difference between group A and group B was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The differences in the detection rates of elevated glucose and total cholesterol for male and of elevated glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride for female were not statistically significant between different concentration groups (P>0.05). For age groups, the detection rate of elevated total triglyceride of Group C was higher than that of Group A or B (P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant between group A and group B (P>0.05); the difference of the detection rate of elevated glucose and cholesterol between different concentration groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). For male, the difference in the detection rate of elevated triglyceride between different cumulative exposure level groups was statistically significant (P<0.01), but not for the elevated glucose or cholesterol (P>0.05). For female, the difference in the detection rate of elevated glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride between different cumulative exposure level groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion Carbon disulfide higher than 5 mg/m3 or cumulative exposure higher than 50 mg/(m3& #183;year) could elevate the detection rate of total triglyceride in male workers. An action level at 2.5mg/m3(time weighed average concentration) is therefore proposed for occupational health surveillance, and those with a cumulative exposure level of carbon disulfide>50 mg/(m3& #183;year)should take strengthened physical exams.
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