Lymphocytic lysosomes in persons occupationally exposed to benzene and its homologues
Moszczyński, P.
Acta Haematologica Polonica 14(1): 21-25
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5814 PMID: 6613501 Document Number: 213468
In 108 workers with occupational exposure to organic solvents containing benzene and its homologues for from 1 to 122 mo. the number of lymphocytes containing lysosomes with acid phosphatase, .beta.-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-.beta.-D-glucosaminidase was determined in the peripheral blood by cytochemical methods. The concentrations of benzene in air at the working places was 0-370 mg/m3, that of toluene was 0-580 mg/m3, and xylene 0-560 mg/m3. With prolonged exposure the subpopulation of lymphocytes with lysosomes containing these enzymes apparently was decreasing. The behavior of lysosomes studied by means of enzymatic markers in the lymphocytes may be of practical usefulness for evaluating the biological consequences of the toxic influence of organic solvents on this cell system.