Leukocyte agglutinins in workers exposed to benzene,toluene and xylene

Summary A leukoagglutination test and a cytotoxic test with leukocytes were performed on 76 workers exposed to occupational contact with benzene, toluene and xylene (52 men, 24 women); the possibility of contact with these substances was eliminated in 41 persons in the period directly preceding the examination, and blood samples were collected from 35 persons in the course of the exposure. In the first group the presence of leukocyte agglutinins for autologous leukocytes was found in only one person and in the second group in 10 persons. The increase of leukoagglutination titer of sera after their incubation with benzene, toluene or xylene was also demonstrated. This suggested the occurrence of allergic blood dyscrasia in some persons exposed to benzene and its homologues.