Esposizione aimipramina e a toluene nell'industria farmaceutica. Osservazioni sul rischio di interazione tossica a livello epatico.

Study of 13 workers of a pharmaceutical industry, engaged on imipramine synthesis. A substantial absorption of imipramine dust via the respiratory tract was ascertained: in 38% of the subjects plasma levels of imipramine at about therapeutical values were found. Exposure to benzene was dangerous, since urinary excretion of the phenols was above the normal values in 58% of the cases. Introduction of toluene in the production cycle resulted in a modest, but general increase in serum GGT activity, as an expression of hepatic involvement in the microsomal enzymes induction, although urinary hippuric acid did not exceeded the normal limits. It is necessary that greater attention be given to environmental risk in the pharmaceutical industry with particular regard to the possibility of interaction between toxics and drugs.