Epidemiological survey of workers exposed to inorganic germanium compounds
B Swennena, A Mallantsa, H A Roelsb, J P Buchetb, A Bernardb, R R Lauwerysb, D Lisonb
a Occupational Health
Department, Union Minière-Olen, Belgium, b Unité de Toxicologie Industrielle et
Médecine du Travail, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels,
Belgium
Correspondence to: Dr D Lison, Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, School of Public Health, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, POB 30.54, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
Accepted 20 December
1999
OBJECTIVES
To assess
occupational exposure to inorganic germanium (Ge) in workers from a
producing plant, and to assess the health of these workers, with a
special focus on respiratory, kidney, and liver functions.
METHODSCross
sectional study of 75 workers exposed to Ge and 79 matched referents.
Exposure was characterised by measuring air and urine concentrations of
the element during a typical working week, and health was assessed by a
questionnaire, clinical examination, lung function testing, chest
radiography, and clinical chemistry in serum and urine, including high
and low molecular weight urinary proteins.
RESULTSAirborne
concentrations of Ge (inhalable fraction) ranged from 0.03 to 300 µg/m, which was reflected by increased urinary excretion of Ge
(0.12-200 µg/g creatinine, after the shift at the end of the working
week). Lung, liver, and haematological variables were not significantly
different between referents and workers exposed to Ge. A slightly
higher urinary concentration of high molecular weight proteins (albumin
and transferrin) was found in workers exposed to Ge, possibly
reflecting subclinical glomerular changes. No relation was found
between the intensity or duration of exposure and the urinary
concentration of albumin. No difference between referents and workers
exposed to Ge was found for other renal variables.
CONCLUSIONSMeasurement
of urinary Ge can detect occupational exposure to inorganic Ge and its
compounds. It is prudent to recommend the monitoring of renal variables
in workers exposed to Ge.
Keywords: inorganic germanium; occupational exposure; biological monitoring
© 2000 by Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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