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Objective: In this study we developed a 96-micro plate enzymatic assay for D-lactate in plasma and urine., Methods: D-lactate was assayed enzymatically with a UV-spectrophotometer in plasma from 38 and in urine from 37 diabetics and from 42 non-diabetic controls., Results: The within-run coefficients of variations (CV) were 2.6% for plasma and 5.7% for urine. The between run CVs were 6.8% for plasma and 6.7% for urine. The mean recovery with standard deviation (S.D.) was 107.4+/-7.3% for plasma and 100.1%+/-6.7% for urine. The plasma D-lactate in diabetics were (mean+/-S.D.) 39.6+/-23.7 microM. We found significant difference between the urinary d-lactate in controls and diabetics (18.2+/-12.0 vs. 35.9+/-24.2 microM/mM creatinine, p<0.0001)., Conclusions: The assay proved reliable with acceptable precision and recovery. Results suggest that diabetics have elevated urinary and plasma D-lactate as compared to controls.

This paper describes the Work Environment Profile (WEP) program and its use in risk identification by computer. It is installed into a hand-held computer or a laptop to be used in risk identification during work site visits. A 5-category system is used to describe the identified risks in 7 groups, i.e., accidents, biological and physical hazards, ergonomic and psychosocial load, chemicals, and information technology hazards. Each group contains several qualifying factors. These 5 categories are colour-coded at this stage to aid with visualization. Risk identification produces visual summary images the interpretation of which is facilitated by colours. The WEP program is a tool for risk assessment which is easy to learn and to use both by experts and nonprofessionals. It is especially well adapted to be used both in small and in larger enterprises. Considerable time is saved as no paper notes are needed.

Refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) are used in thermal isolation in the metal industry where high temperatures are regularly employed. Asbestos materials were earlier commonly used for these purposes. In this work, two Finnish steel plants, three foundries and a repair shop were studied for the ceramic fibre exposure of their workers under normal production and during the replacement of oven insulation. Personal and stationary sampling was used together with a novel nasal lavage sampling for the evaluation of personal exposure. Fibres were counted with optical and electron microscopy and they were identified using an energy-dispersive X-ray analyser. Ceramic fibres were found in most production phases [range <0.01-0.29 fibres per cubic centimetre (f cm(-3))]. Considerably higher fibre counts were obtained during the maintenance work (range <0.01-14.2 f cm(-3)). Nasal sampling was found to correlate with the airborne fibre concentrations at the group level. The mean fibre concentrations varied from 34 to 6680 f ml(-1) of lavage liquid. Use of personal respiratory protectors diminished the exposure on the average as analysed in the lavage specimens, but the effect of respirator use did not appear clearly in the results. Because of the heat conditions, the workers used the respirators for a strict minimum period. A considerable exposure to RCF occurs in the studied plants. Its risk should be evaluated and managed more closely in view that the material is carcinogenic. Use of personal respiratory protectors should be encouraged. Their effective use could be verified by the nasal sampling for fibres after the work shift.

The objectives of this study were to develop a biomonitoring method for the assessment of exposure to man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), to examine the level of exposure to MMVF in the prefabricated house industry, and to study nasal inflammatory reactions and respiratory symptoms associated with MMVF among workers. Nasal lavage was performed on workers from two factories, and concentrations of MMVF were measured by electron microscopy. Cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma) were also assayed and inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages) were counted microscopically. Concentrations of airborne fibers (longer than 5 microm) were measured for comparison. Moreover, the exposure to MMVF and the related symptoms were studied with a structured questionnaire. In nasal lavage samples, the mean concentration of MMVF (length >1.5 microm) was 3260 f/ mL in Factory 1, 1680 f/mL in Factory 2, and below 500 f/mL in the control group. About 52% of the retained fibers were longer than 100 microm. The group-specific mean concentrations of MMVF in nasal lavage samples correlated with production rates and airborne fiber levels in both plants. The airborne concentrations of MMVF both in the breathing zone and fixed-point samples were low (below 0.1 f/cm(3)). No significant differences in the biological response (inflammatory cells, cytokines) were found between the groups exposed and the control group. The workers complained of some irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, which could be reduced by appropriate protective equipment. It is concluded that nasal lavage can be used as a biomonitoring method in the assessment of MMVF exposure.

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for biomonitoring of occupational wood dust exposure based on nasal lavage as a biomonitoring matrix was developed. Gallic acid (GA) was chosen as the indicator compound for oak dust exposure. From the chromatographic profile of ash dust, four peaks were chosen as indicator compounds. Phenolic indicator compounds were analysed by HPLC. Personal dust samples and corresponding nasal lavage samples were collected from 16 workers exposed to oak dust and six to ash dust. The dust concentrations in the workers' breathing zone varied between 0.7 and 13.8 mg m(-3). The indicators revealed the nature of the wood dust inhaled. For the workers who did not use respirators, the correlation between the dust and corresponding indicator compound in their nasal lavage was significant; r2 = 0.59 (n = 12) for oak dust and r2 = 0.58 (n = 6) for ash dust, respectively. Further, the correlation for oak dust workers who used respirators was r = 0.67 (n = 4). Nasal lavage sampling and HPLC analysis of polyphenol indicator compounds are promising tools for measuring wood dust exposure. Although further validation is necessary, determination of the individual dose may prove invaluable in prospective epidemiological studies.