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Paper-based works of art and documents of cultural importance kept in museums and libraries can show notorious signs of deterioration, including foxing stains, caused by fungal colonization. Some of the main chromophore agents of fungal origin that deteriorate paper and therefore affect paper cultural heritage both aesthetically and structurally are the group of pigments called melanins. Thus, knowledge of the diversity and features of fungal melanins and of the melanization pathways of fungi growing on paper is key to removing these pigments from paper-based works of cultural importance. This review provides an approach about the current knowledge of melanins synthesized by paper-colonizing fungi, their localization in the fungal structures, and their role in the deterioration of paper. This knowledge might contribute to developing new, effective, and sustainable strategies of restoration and conservation of historical documents and works of art based on paper.

Background: Red tattoos are prone to allergic reactions. The identity of the allergen(s) is mostly unknown., Objectives: Chemical analysis of human skin biopsies from chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos to identify culprit pigment(s) and metals., Material and Methods: One hundred four dermatome biopsies were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) for identification of commonly used organic pigments. Metal concentrations were assessed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). Fourteen patients had cross-reactions in other red tattoos., Results: In total, the identified pigments were mainly azo Pigment Red (P.R.) 22 (35%), P.R. 210 (24%), P.R. 170 (12%), P.R. 5 (0.9%), P.R. 112 (0.9%), and Pigment Orange (P.O.) 13 (11%). P.R. 122 (0.9%) and Pigment Violet (P.V.) 23 (8%) were also common. P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 also dominated in patients with cross-reactions. In 22% of the biopsies, no red pigment was detected. Element analysis indicated the presence of the sensitizers nickel and chromium., Conclusions: P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 were identified as the prevailing pigments behind chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos. The epitope causing the reaction might be a pigment-degradation product. Metal contamination may derive from different sources, and its role in red tattoo allergy cannot be ascertained., (© 2019 The Authors. Contact Dermatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The population interest in health products is increasing day-by-day. Thus, the demand for natural products to be added in food and pharmaceutical commodity is also rising. Among these additives, colorants, which provides color to products, can be produced by microorganism through bioprocess. Looking for new source of natural colorants, fungi have been employed to this purpose producing novel and safer natural colorants. So, the main goal of this study was to describe a Talaromyces species able to produce natural colorants and investigate nutritional parameters of colorants production using statistical tool. The taxonomy classified the microorganism as Talaromyces amestolkiae. The statistical design evaluated pH and glucose, meat extract and meat peptone concentration as independent variables, and red colorants production as main response. Under the best condition (g/L: glucose 30, meat extract 1, meat peptone 10, and initial pH of 7.0) an increase of 229% in the red colorant production was achieved as compared with the initial media used. The dried fermented broth containing red colorants showed low cytotoxicity against fibroblasts cells (IC 50  > 187.5 g/L) and effective antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (MIC of 2.5 g/L). Thus, T. amestolkiae colorants can be attractive to food and pharmaceutical applications as it does not produce toxic compounds and can promote protection against microorganism contaminants. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2684, 2019., (© 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.)

Phytogenic pigments are secondary plant compounds responsible for coloring effects in plant tissues. In particular, phenolic flavonoids and terpenoid carotenoids, but also rare compounds like curcumin and betalain, form this group of biochemical agents used in animal nutrition. From the perspective of ecological mutuality between plants and animals, these compounds are of crucial importance because they serve as visual attraction for herbivores but also signal nutritional and/or health-promoting values. This review focuses on the properties of phytogenic pigments which are likely to impact feed intake and preferences of livestock. Also natural prophylactic and/or therapeutic properties and, in particular, the potential of pigments to enhance quality and health value of animal products for human consumption are important issues. Nevertheless, reasonable limits of use due to possible adverse indications have been suggested recently. Pathways of digestion, metabolism and excretion in animals play a crucial role not only in the evaluation of effectiveness but also in the prediction of potential risks for human consumption. The popularity of natural feed additives is growing; therefore, more research work is needed to better understand metabolic pathways in the animal's body and to better estimate the potentials and risks of pigmenting plant compounds used in animal nutrition., (© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.)

An ethanol-soluble pigment extract was separated from fermented Zijuan Pu-erh tea. The compositions of the ethanol soluble pigment extract were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS/MS). The extract was prepared into a series of ethanol solutions and analyzed for free radical-scavenging activities (against two free radicals: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO)) and in vitro anti-oxidative properties. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy showed that the peaks of DPPH and TEMPO decreased with increasing extract concentration, suggesting that the extract had excellent free radical-scavenging activities. In vitro cell culture suggested that, at 50-200 mg/L, the extract had no measurable effect on the viability of vascular endothelial cells (ECV340) but produced significant protective effects for cells that underwent oxidative injuries due to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment. Compared with the H₂O₂ treatment alone cells group, 200 mg/L of the extract increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cells by 397.3%, and decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of lactate acid dehydrogenase (LDH) by 47.8% and 69.6%, respectively. These results suggest that the extract has excellent free radical scavenging and anti-oxidative properties., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Replacement of artificial food dyes with natural colorants is a current marketing trend, notwithstanding the fact that neither the United States nor the European Union (EU) has defined natural with respect to food colors. Consumer groups have concerns over the safety of synthetic colorants, and in addition, many of the naturally derived colorants provide health benefits. Food scientists frequently have the assignment of replacing artificial colorants with natural alternatives. This can be challenging, as naturally derived colorants are usually less stable, and all desired hues might, in fact, not be obtainable. In this review, the chemical and physical properties, limitations, and more suitable applications for those colorants that are legally available as substitutes for the synthetic colorants are summarized. Issues and challenges for certain foods are discussed, and in addition, colorants that may be available in the future are briefly described.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the null hypothesis that there are no differences of affinity between pigments and human whole saliva (WS), and the affinity is not influenced by the functional groups of pigments, temperatures, pH values, and salt concentrations., Methods: The affinity constants of interactions between WS and theaflavin (TF)/curcumin (Cur)/cyanidin (Cy) were determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and fluorescence quenching. Mass-uptake at various temperatures, pH values, and salt concentrations was also carried out., Results: The order of affinity of the pigments binding to WS is TF>Cur>Cy. A large number of complexes and precipitations of pigments/proteins were formed through a quick, strong, and almost irreversible binding process. The mass-uptake of pigments was affected not only by the functional groups, but also by molecular weight of pigments, temperatures, pH values, and salt concentrations., Conclusion: The complex of pigments may easily and rapidly deposit onto the WS film, and are difficult to remove from the WS surface. However, the complex of pigments can be reduced by properly regulating the physicochemical conditions, such as temperatures, pH values, and salt concentrations., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) was isolated from the dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. which was extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diseases due to blood stasis. However, there have been few detailed pharmacokinetic studies about HSYA on human beings., Aim of the Study: The aim was to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of HSYA in healthy Chinese female volunteers., Materials and Methods: The volunteers were given intravenous infusion of single doses of safflor yellow injection (containing HSYA 35, 70 and 140 mg) in separate trial periods with 1 week washout period. The concentration levels of HSYA in plasma were determined with HPLC. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the plasma concentration versus time data using non-compartmental methods., Results: The C(max) values were 2.02+/-0.18, 7.47+/-0.67 and 14.48+/-4.71 microg/mL after the administration of single doses of 35, 70, and 140 mg of HSYA, respectively. The corresponding values of AUC(0-15 h) were 6.57+/-1.20, 25.90+/-4.62 and 48.47+/-12.11 microg/(mL h(-1)), and the values of t(1/2) were 3.21+/-1.26, 3.33+/-0.68 and 2.98+/-0.09 h. The Student-Newman-Keuls test results showed that C(max) and AUC(0-15 h) were both linearly related to dose., Conclusions: In this study, the pharmacokinetic properties of HSYA are based on first-order kinetics over the dose range tested.

In this study, a stable red pigment was prepared from Lithospermum erythrorhizon via supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The optimal extraction conditions were 400 bar and 60 degrees C. The patch tests indicated that up to 10% of the red pigment was acceptable from a skin irritation standpoint. According to the results of the CIE LAB chromaticity test, the color difference was acceptable when compared to commercial synthetic red pigments. The light-illuminated color stability test indicated that the pigment was more stable than the red pigment extracted with ethanol. The higher stability was also demonstrated in the DPPH antioxidant activity test. The supercritical red pigment harbored elevated amounts of shikonin and derivatives, and appears to be usable as a stable red pigment for cosmetic color products.

Background: Obtaining a tattoo has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the degree to which tattooing represents a health risk in the form of infections is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the microbial content of tattooing dyes and pigments (colourants)., Material and Methods: Microbes present in colourants used for tattooing were counted and identified using standard techniques and rapid identification systems., Results: Seven of in total twelve colourants contributed by five studios contained bacteria. No fungi were found. Three solutions contained more than 10 8 bacteria/ml, chiefly aerobic, Gram-negative rods including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No primary pathogens were found, however, the high colony counts found for some samples may represent infectious doses of a wide range of bacteria., Interpretation: Although required by current regulations to be sterile, a number of colourants were highly contaminated with bacteria. The detection of bacteria in colourants necessitates a review of the studios' internal control procedures. In addition, the appropriate monitoring body should initiate testing of colourants in order to ascertain if these are contaminated at the time of purchase, or become so during use.

The dyestuff industry is suffering from the increases in costs of feedstock and energy for dye synthesis, and they are under increasing pressure to minimize the damage to the environment. The industries are continuously looking for cheaper, more environmentally friendly routes to existing dyes. The aim of this minireview is to discuss the most important advances in the fungal pigment area and its interest in biotechnological applications. Characteristic pigments are produced by a wide variety of fungi and the chemical composition of natural dyes are described. These pigments exhibit several biological activities besides cytotoxicity. The synthetic pigments authorized by the EC and in USA and the natural pigments available in the world market are discussed. The obstacle to the exploitation of new natural pigments sources is the food legislation, requesting costly toxicological research, manufacturing costs, and acceptance by consumers. The dislike for novel ingredients is likely to be the biggest impediment for expansion of the pigment list in the near future. If the necessary toxicological testing and the comparison with accepted pigments are made, the fungal pigments, could be acceptable by the current consumer. The potentiality of pigment production in Brazil is possible due to tremendous Amazonian region biodiversity.

13 balsam of Peru (Myroxylon Pereirae) patch-test-positive subjects are re-tested with 25% balsam of Peru in petrolatum and with serial doses printed on polyester squares. All substances are applied with tape strips for 3, 6, 24 (1 day [D]), 48 (2D), 72 (3D) and 96 h (4D) on each subject and for 96 h (4D) with plastic foils. Tests are followed visually and with perfusion assessments from 3 h to 9 days. Results show that pigment remnants following detachment of patches affect perfusion assessments. Such effect due to pigment is supported by readings of patch tests through the petrolatum test substance while applied with transparent foils. For most reactions, good agreement is observed between the assessment techniques when peak assessment values of reactions are compared. There is inter-individual variation in perfusion with identical tests. With the petrolatum test substance, increased visible reactivity was observed when the application time was extended up to 24 h (1D), while extension of application time increased perfusion in most cases except for an extension from 24 (2D) to 48 h (4D) where decreased perfusion resulted in most cases. Dose and application time did not affect the timing of highest reactivity of reactions in most cases.

To find an ideal test technique for as low a dose of balsam of Peru (Myroxylon Pereirae) as possible, subjects testing positive to balsam of Peru are re-tested with a 25% concentration of balsam of Peru in petrolatum. Applications are with Finn Chambers for 6 different application times, and directly by foils for 96 h (4 days (D)). The goals are to confirm which subjects are positive and which are not, and, using that information, to see if it is possible to distinguish between these 2 groups, tested concomitantly at much lower serial dose levels, in terms of perfusion or by visual assessments. 5 different serial doses are applied with strips for 3-96 h (4D) and with foils for 96 h (4D). The Finn Chamber tests allow a distinction between visually positive and negative subjects supported by perfusion assessments. With the foils, a 24x lower serial dose level than with the 25% test substance is sufficient to distinguish between positive and negative subjects in terms of perfusion values. This approach requires readings up to 9 days. With this test, the visual approach yields only 3 of 10 positive subjects. This study demonstrates that a lower test dose is possible with perfusion assessments compared to visual ones.

Tattooing is routinely employed prior to radiotherapy treatment but allergies to tattoos are rare. New information on the incidence of tattoo allergy at St George Hospital is presented with details of two clinical cases. The literature on tattoo allergy has been unable to estimate the incidence of allergic reaction to tattoos because the total number of patients treated is unknown and not all patients were followed up. Our radiation oncology population for the first time has provided a known denominator, but wide confidence intervals prevent an accurate estimate of the incidence. Salient issues about tattoo allergy are highlighted based on a review of the published literature from 1966 to 1998.

Eight cases of ovarian granuloma containing carbon pigment are described. In all cases, this distinctive lesion occurred at sites of prior laser or fulguration surgery. Three types of carbon pigment granuloma were noted, the most common being the necrobiotic granuloma. Although postoperative necrobiotic granulomas have been described in a variety of clinical sites, the carbon pigment granuloma has not been well described in the pathology literature. Recognition of this lesion seems to be of value in determining its postoperative, noninfectious nature.

Objectives: Mortality studies have suggested that workers in the printing industry may have a higher incidence of malignant melanoma. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of malignant melanoma among lithographers., Methods: A cohort of 837 lithographers, born in 1933-1942, was followed in the Danish Cancer Register from 1974 to 1989., Results: Five cases of malignant melanoma were found, with 1.5 expected (relative risk 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-7.5)., Conclusions: Many known and suspected carcinogens are used in the printing industry. Hydroquinone, used for photographic development, may be implicated in the observed increase in risk, as it causes depigmentation and changes in melanocytes in the skin.

Background: Cutaneous allergic reactions to pigments found in tattoos are not infrequent. Cinnabar (mercuric sulfide) is the most common cause of allergic reactions in tattoos and is probably related to a cell-mediated (delayed) hypersensitivity reaction., Objective: The purpose of these case presentations is to describe a previously unreported complication of tattoo removal with two Q-switched lasers., Results: Two patients without prior histories of skin disease experienced localized as well as widespread allergic reactions after treatment of their tattoos with two Q-switched lasers., Conclusion: The Q-switched ruby and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers target intracellular tattoo pigment, causing rapid thermal expansion that fragments pigment-containing cells and causes the pigment to become extracellular. This extracellular pigment is then recognized by the immune system as foreign.

Introduction: Cosmetic dermopigmentation designates tattooing of the superficial derma with pigments in order to obtain an aesthetic effect. We observed two cases illustrating the inconveniences of this technique., Case Reports: Two women underwent dermopigmentation on the face in a beauty institution to create pseudo-freckles. Definite macular hyperpigmentation occurred with dyschromia in both subjects., Comments: There is a major risk in subjects who undertake dermopigmentation of freckles and/or naevus, a practice which should be discouraged by dermatologists.

The inhibitory activities on the intercellular gap-junctional communication were investigated using the V79 metabolic cooperation (MC) assay for the detection of tumor-promoting activities of additives such as pigments and phenolic antioxidants. Among six pigments, four chemicals showed inhibitory activities. The inhibitory potencies were ranked in the following order: sudan I > purple 201 > blue 204 > green 202. Sudan I and purple 201 showed stronger inhibitory activities than lithocholic acid, which is known to be a tumor promotor. However, quinizarine and red 225 did not inhibit at any concentration. Relating to eight phenolic antioxidants, four chemicals also showed inhibitory activities. Combining the present findings with previous ones, there are many factors that have tumor-promoting activities via inhibitory action on gap-junctional intercellular communication in biomaterials.

Two cases of lead poisoning following exposures in the arts and crafts environment are presented. The first illustrates the impact of an unusual exposure source experienced by a female art conservator while restoring an antique Peruvian tapestry from the Chancay Period (A.D. 1000-1500). The second demonstrates the extension to the artist's family members of a lead hazard associated with pottery work. Noted were a wide spectrum of clinical and biochemical abnormalities, ranging from severe neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms to subtle alterations in the biosynthetic pathway of heme. Marked elevation of the blood lead level (up to 130 mcg/100 mL) was found in the most severe case of lead poisoning. The cases illustrate the need for industrial hygiene measures in this type of work in order to prevent lead intoxication, both in the adult artist and children in the household. However, in some instances of increased lead absorption in persons with lead-related hobbies, sources other than those associated with arts and crafts should be investigated. This alternative is illustrated by a third case, in which firearms training was the more likely source of excessive exposure. Multiple occupational factors must occasionally be considered in evaluating increased lead absorption.

Eighteen patients who developed cutaneous reactions to red tattoos were studied to identify the chemicals responsible for the reactions to modern red tattoo pigments. Biopsies from the tattoos were examined histologically and the chemical composition of the red pigments was analysed by X-ray microanalysis. A variety of metallic elements including aluminium, iron, calcium, titanium, silicon, mercury and cadmium were detected. Patch tests were performed to the relevant chemicals in nine cases, and only one patient reacted to mercury. This study demonstrates that although reactions to mercury still occur, other red dyes containing a variety of inorganic pigments may provoke a cutaneous inflammatory response.

Dozens of epidemiologic studies have been conducted since the late 1940s in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between exposure to chromium compounds and increased rates of certain cancers observed in several industries. The relationship between employment in industries producing chromium compounds from chromite ore and lung cancer has been well established in numerous studies. The relationship between exposure to certain chromium-based pigments and chromic acid and lung cancer, although not as strong, is fairly well accepted. The data concerning emissions from stainless-steel manufacturing and disease are contradictory. Although individual studies have indicated excesses of gastrointestinal and occasionally other cancers in these industries, results are not consistent and not universally accepted. There is general agreement that chromite ore does not have an associated risk of cancer. Although the chromium compound (or compounds) responsible for disease have yet to be identified, there is general agreement that hexavalent species are responsible for these diseases and that the trivalent species are not. Hypotheses about the carcinogenicity of specific chromium compounds generally relate to their solubility in body fluids. These hypotheses, however, have generally been produced as a result of toxicologic, not epidemiologic, investigation. Well-designed epidemiologic studies incorporating detailed assessments of worker exposures have the potential to help elucidate causality, identify specific carcinogenic compounds, and quantify risk in humans, eliminating the need to extrapolate from animal data. Although the need for exposure data crucial to this effort was identified in the earliest epidemiologic studies of chromium, such studies have not been conducted. As a result, little more is known today about the relationship between this chemical and disease in humans than was known 40 years ago.

Autopsy findings in a 55-year old man known to have been occupationally heavily exposed to titanium dioxide dust showed extensive pulmonary deposition of white pigment. By energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and electron and X-ray diffraction, the pigment was identified as rutile. By ordinary transmitted light microscopy, deposits of the white crystalline titanium-dioxide could not be distinguished from anthracotic pigment present in the lung sections. By transmitted polarized and incident light microscopy, the different nature of the two types of pigment was immediately evident. Absence of inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the lungs in our case lends support to the view that rutile is biochemically inert.

When the working environment in a small cadmium-pigment manufacturing plant was investigated cadmium concentrations in respirable dust were found to be considerably above the hygiene standard recommended by the British Occupational Hygiene Society. Cadmium concentrations in blood and urine of exposed workers, both present and past employees, were determined. The six men who had worked in the production plant for seven years or more all showed signs of renal tubular damage. In addition two of these men exhibited exertional dyspnoea, and respiratory function tests showed evidence of pulmonary dysfunction. A third man showed moderate airways obstruction with mild symptoms. On the basis of the results of the investigations on individuals in this study, it is suggested that urinary cadmium concentrations should be kept below 15 microgram/day to avoid the possibility of renal damage, and that the insoluble respirable fraction of cadmium dust should not be regraded as merely nuisance dust.

Two studied commercial human serum albumin solutions had developed yellow colors during storage. These yellow materials were isolated and shown to be soluble lipofuscin. Aqueous solutions of this lipofuscin exhibited fluorescence spectra with 355 nm excitation and 432 nm emission maxima. After acid hydrolysis of this lipofuscin a nonhydrolysable lipid-melanin fraction was obtained. Ethanol-ether extraction yielded a lipid-containing solution. When evaporated and mixed with water, a solution-suspension was obtained that produced very similar fluorescence spectra to those described above, with 368 nm excitation and 432 nm emission maxima. The separated melanin component was not fluorescent. The isolated lipofuscin exhibited a weak electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum and its g-value has been found to be 2.0069 and its line width 9.8 G. The albumin solution contained approximately 0.23 g of melanin precipitate per 9.31 g of soluble lipofuscin isolated from 25 g of albumin. The deleterious cardiac, pulmonary, renal and clotting changes associated with the use of albumin solution might be due to this lipofuscin.

This prospective study demonstrated that among 92 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy for gallstones at an urban university hospital, 27% had pigment stones and 73% had cholesterol stones. Age, sex, and weight, but not race, were significant determinants of stone type. The mean hemoglobin, direct and total serum bilirubin, and fasting glucose concentrations were similar for each group. The presence of alcoholism, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heterozygous hemoglobinopathy did not influence stone type. The average patient with pigment stones is a lean man or woman 63 years old; in contrast the composite patient with cholesterol stones is a modestly overweight woman 43 years old.

The general topic of kidney damage produced by drugs and toxins is introduced, emphasizing its clinical importance in critically ill patients. Specific toxins are then examined in detail with respect to the mechanisms of toxicity, clinical features, and management.

Acute renal failure is divided into its classic parts: prerenal azotemia, postrenal azotemia (obstruction), and renal azotemia (including acute tubular necrosis). The division of acute tubular necrosis into the ischemic and toxic varieties is supplemented by an analysis of toxic varieties into those caused by antibiotics, radiologic contrast agents, chemotherapeutic-immunosuppressive agents, heavy metals, organic solvents, etc. Acute tubular necrosis caused by hemoglobin and myoglobin is described in detail. The importance of urinalysis and the urinary indices in distinguishing prerenal azotemia from acute tubular necrosis is stressed. Finally, current prognosis and treatment are reviewed.

An acute dermatitis overlying an immunologic granuloma was noted at the site of purple "dye" injection in a man with multiple multicolored tattoos. The skin reaction was observed 3 weeks after the injection, which proved to contain manganese, the usual metallic salt used for purple colored tattoos. Atomic absorption spectrometry showed a large amount of manganese in the biopsy specimen. Neither the dermatitis nor an immunologic granuloma could be reproduced with manganese salts or the alleged tattoo pigment. In addition, his peripheral blood lymphocytes were shown to be normal both in subset distribution and in their function, but these cells did not respond by blastogenesis to dilutions of the alleged pigment or to 2 manganese salts tested.

A short review on organic pigments in plastics as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis is presented. Previously, organic pigments have been reported as provoking allergic pigmented contact dermatitis when used in cosmetics. Here we present the case of a patient who developed allergic contact dermatitis from an organic pigment (Irgalite Orange F2G) in a plastic glove. This shows that organic pigments in plastics can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. The potential sensitizing capacity of organic pigments should be noted.

The mineral pigments and ferric oxide dyes are used on a large scale in the paint and varnish industry, in building, chemical industry, polygraphy etc. For their production as basic raw materials are used lead, chromium and iron compounds. The concentrations of the toxic and accummulating lead and chromium in the air of the work environment surpass MAC and create most frequently "especially unfavourable" conditions of work. In all industrial processes the leading unfavourable factor is the chemical combined with unfavourable physical factors and overstress on the locomotor system. Changes were established in the organism of examined workers as result from the chronic effect of the factors of the work environment of the peripheral blood, digestive, nervous system and the skin. In view of reducing the risk of exposure to the toxic chemical factor it is imposed to take measures for sanitation of the work environment.