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Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational exposure to carbon disulfide (CS2) concentrations below threshold limit value (TLV)-time-weighted average (TWA) (31 mg/m3) on total cholesterol, blood pressure and the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 141 viscose rayon workers (64 men), and 141 age- and gender-matched controls without occupational contact with noxious chemicals, was carried out. The probability for CHD was determined by means of the WHO questionnaire and was 12-lead electrocardiography-coded using Minnesota criteria. Blood pressure was measured by the standardized method of the WHO and blood was examined for total cholesterol. A cumulative exposure index (CS2 index) was calculated for each worker by multiplying the number of years held in a particular job, by the CS2 concentrations in that job-environment. According to the CS2 index, the exposed workers were distributed into two groups: group 1 (CS2 index < 100) and group 2 (CS2 index > or = 100)., Results: Depending on the job and specific work place the CS2 concentrations were between 1 and 30 mg/m3. Cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the exposed group (4.9 +/- 0.7) compared with the controls (4.6 +/- 0.7). Adjustment for age, smoking, body-mass index (BMI) and gender showed the significant effect of the CS2 index on the total cholesterol (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was significantly higher in the exposed group (42.6%), compared with the controls (26.2%); odds ratio (OR) (adjusted for potential confounders) was 2.56, 95% CI 1.47-4.46. Logistic regression showed a significantly increased risk for elevated cholesterol in group 2 (OR 5.52; 95% CI 2.81-10.83). No significant effect of CS2 index on blood pressure and CHD prevalence was found., Conclusions: The results of our study show that occupational exposure to CS2 concentrations below 31 mg/m3 and a CS2 index > 100 may increase total cholesterol. Our results imply that even the CS2 concentrations below TLV-TWA may produce morbid changes, and suggest the mechanism of the effect of CS2, leading to lipid metabolism disturbances and acceleration of atherosclerosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational exposure to carbon disulphide (CS2) on the total cholesterol, blood pressure and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD). A cross-sectional study involving 252 viscose rayon workers and 252 age and sex matched controls was carried out. Depending on the job and specific work place, the CS2 concentrations were between 10 and 64 mg/m3. A cumulative exposure index (CS2 index) was calculated for each worker by multiplying the number of years he had held a particular job with the CS2 concentrations in that job. CHD prevalence among the exposed was higher than among the controls; the difference reaching significance only for highly exposed workers. Cholesterol levels were significantly higher in both highly and moderately exposed groups. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that occupational exposure to CS2 increases total cholesterol and the risk for CHD. While the risk for CHD is increased in workers exposed to high CS2 concentration for many years (CS2 index > or = 300), even the relatively modest exposure (CS2 < 300) may increase the serum cholesterol.

Examinations are performed on 120 workers from the plant for nitrogen and 253 workers from the plant for phosphorous fertilizers. For comparison is used a control group of 103 persons having no professional contact with chemical noxa. The measuring of the arterial pressure and assessment of the arterial hypertension rate is performed after the standardised method of the World Health Organization (1984). The probability of ischemic disease of the heart is determined on the basis of the electrocardiographic changes (Minnesota code) and the data of the questionnaire of G. A. Rose (WHO, 1984). The results point out, that the arterial hypertension incidence and that of the ischemic disease of the heart in the exposed workers in both plants is insignificantly higher than that of the controls. There is no effect of the specialized length of service on the dissemination of the registered cardio-vascular diseases. The data of the carried out investigation show no presence of heightened risk of arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease in workers from the nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers production.

Medical and clinico-laboratory examinations were performed of thermoelectric power station (TES) workers who were exposed to the hazardous factors related to the technological process and contamination substances transferred from other industrial sites. Following prepathologic and pathologic states were registered: respiratory functional disorders, ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, audiometric state deviations and acoustic nerve neuritis, irritative dermatitis. Basing on the data obtained, risk groups identification was performed.

A method for quantitative evaluation of the probability for ischaemic disease of the heart in epidemiological studies is recommended and the state of risk is determined by riskogram, including 3 parts: 1. Assessment of the electrocardiographic changes after Minnesota code. 2. Integral quantitative interpretation of ECG-changes with the data from the Rose test. 3. Classified quantitative assessment of the probability for ischaemic disease of the heart. The quantitative interpretation of the probability for ischaemic disease of the heart allows the use of various statistical methods, mathematical models and computer processing of data, received at the epidemiological studies. By tracing the dependences "dose-effect" and "dose-response" the maximum admissible duration of the length of service could be predicted in specific conditions of professional exposure, in order to prevent injury of the cardiovascular system from harmful industrial factors.