STUDY OF SOME HEALTH EFFECTS IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO CHLOROFORM

Chloroform (also known as trichloromethane or methyltrichloride), is a colorless liquid with a pleasant, non-irritating odor. Most of chloroform found in the environment comes from industry; it is also found in waste water from sewage treatment plants and drinking water to which chlorine is added. Chloroform is used in pesticide formulation, in drugs and chemical industry and as a laboratory reagent. Chloroform toxicity can be attributed to the presence of both the parent compound and the formation of reactive metabolite (phosgene). Chloroform has obvious hepatic - nephrotoxicity and is a suspected human carcinogen. The genotoxic potential of chloroform has been investigated in anumber of studies both in vitro and in vivo.Also, the mechanism of action of chloroform had been investigated, several modes of actions were studied, of which cytotoxicity and cell replication, induction of gene mutation and DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants depletion are the most common effects.Objectives: (1) To study and evaluate some of the health effects of chronic occupational exposure to chloroform when used as a main laboratory reagent, with special emphasis on hepatorenal, and cytogenetic effects. (2) Also, assessment of possible effect of chloroform in causing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Methods: This study was carried out in the laboratory of Analgesic and Narcotic Drugs Department in the National Organization for Drug Control and Research. The study population was composed of 52 subjects; 30 workers were exposed to chloroform (by inhalation and skin contact) and 22 matched unexposed females were included as control.Every individual in the study was subjected to clinical examination and special questionnaire, investigation of liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST, ALK phosphatase,bilirubin, serum creatinine and blood urea). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA)was measured for assessment of lipid peroxidation, and chromosomal simple analysisstudy was done.Results: As regards the significant clinical manifestations, sensory disturbances,skin manifestations (redness, itching and allergic dermatitis), and cardio-vascularmanifestations (arrhythmia and syncope) were elicited in 50% of the exposed workers,and musculoskeletal manifestation were also found in the exposed group with statistically significant difference when compared to control.Liver and kidney function parameters did not show statistically significant difference between the two groups, while serum MDA was statistically significantly higher in the exposed group (P<0.05). Chromosomal aberrations were significantly higher in the exposed subjects. However,  orrelations duration of work with MDA level, and with chromosomal aberrations, and MDA level with chromosomal aberrations were non-significant, Conclusion: Occupational exposure to chloroform as a main laboratory reagent, was associated with significant increase in lipid peroxidation indicated by increased level of a lipid peroxidation product, serum MDA, and was associated with increased chromosomal aberrations that did not correlate with the level of serum MDA or with duration of exposure. Hepatorenal function parameters were within normal, skin manifestation arrhythmia, and sensory manifestations are the most significant clinical effects.