Monitoring of Neurotransmitters in Workers Exposed in Dimethylformamide

Objective The purpose is to evaluate the effects of dimethylformamide (DMF) exposure on the central nervous system (CNS) by monitoring the neurotransmitters nitric oxide (NO), acetylcholine (ACh), and urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) in workers exposed to DMF.Methods The data of NO and ACh from 22 workers exposed to DMF and 15 health control individuals were collected to analyze the correlations between urinary NMF and NO and ACh in peripheral blood.Results The concentration of NO in workers exposed to DMF was significantly decreased. There was obvious positive correlation between NMF and NO, while negative correlation between NMF and ACh.Conclusions The NO were affected by DMF exposure, thus providing a good basis for searching for markers of DMF-induced central nervous system occupational injury. Due to the adverse effects of DMF on the CNS of workers, we encourage workers to wear protective equipment all the time during operation to minimize their contact with DMF.