Cytoenzymatic studies on neutrophils in workers having contact with organic solvents containing benzene, toluene and xylene.

In 106 workers (47 women and 59 men) being in professional contact with organic solvents containing benzene and its homologues during 1 to 122 months the cytochemical examination of peripheral blood neutrophils has been performed. The patterns of neutrophil functional activation have been noted expressed in increased activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, increased NBT reduction and diminished glycogen reserves. Those changes were accompanied by diminished peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The stimulated NBT reduction, elevated in majority of workers, exhibited negative correlation with the exposure time what indicates the practical value of that test monitoring the biological effects of professional contact with the solvents.