The Association Between Dimethylacetamide Exposure and Liver Toxicity: A Large Retrospective Analysis in Workers From Four European Factories

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the association between 8-h time weighted N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) air exposure and potential hepatocellular injury in a retrospective study among fibre-production workers in four European factories. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine (1.5%) of 1844 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) observations had liver values two times above normal; 0.2% three times above normal and 0.05% five times above normal. Two (0.1%) observations were indicative of hepatocellular injury. Logistic regression analyses showed an odds ratio for elevated ALT of 0.88 per 1 ppm (P trend = 0.39). Linear random effects regression analyses showed a decrease of one international unit (IU/L) ALT per 1 ppm increase of DMAc exposure (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study found no association between DMAc exposure and hepatoxicity amongst European workers. The prevalence of elevated liver values was lower compared to the general population without occupational exposure.