Influence of occupational exposure to organic solvents on kidney function.

Exposure to nephrotoxic substances may cause renal tubular and glomerular dysfunction. The aim of the paper was to evaluate, based on literature reports, whether occupational exposure to organic solvents entails a risk of renal dysfunction. The results of the studies performed over the last twenty years are contradictory. In workers occupationally exposed to organic solvents, tubular, glomerular, or no effects were found. The lack of association between the renal effects and the intensity or duration of exposure was reported in most of the studies. It has been suggested that this can be attributed to an individual susceptibility. Available information points to a possibility of mild renal effects, but not to a serious influence on the kidney function at the current levels of occupational exposure to organic solvents. Biological monitoring of early effects can help identify individuals susceptible to nephrotoxicity of this group of chemicals.