Causal relationship between a case of severe hepatic dysfunction and low exposure concentrations of N,N-dimethylformamide in the synthetics industry

Abstract

A 19-year-old man suffered hepatic dysfunction after 5 months of exposure to N,N dimethylformamide (DMF) at his job in the synthetic resins industry. Laboratory data revealed elevated levels of AST (578 IU/l), ALT (1193 IU/l), and γ-GTP (107 IU/l), no viral infection with HAV, HBV, or HCV, and no history or evidence of hepatic injury, although he did have a slight abdominal abnormality and swelling which was detected by palpation. His urinary N-methylformamide level, as a biological exposure index of DMF, was 42.8 mg/l, indicating 10-30 ppm of DMF exposure. After 2 months he was reinstated in two workplaces, the former where he worked in the morning and the other in the afternoon where environmental DMF concentrations were less than those in the former workplace. On the 18th day after his reinstatement, his liver function became exasperated again. After the second period of medication and one month of rest from work, he had fully recovered and was reinstated, but to a workshop without DMF exposure.