Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology
-
J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. · Jan 1994
Elevated serum creatine kinase (CK-MM) in petrol sniffers using leaded or unleaded fuel.
This study examined blood lead and creatine kinase levels in a group of 24 Australian Aboriginal males admitted to the hospital for treatment of severe petrol sniffing related illness after using only leaded petrol and 27 sniffers, 16 ex-sniffers and 13 non-sniffers from an isolated Aboriginal community using only unleaded petrol. Creatine kinase levels (which were nearly all creatine kinase-skeletal muscle isoenzyme indicating skeletal muscle damage) were correlated with blood lead levels and were elevated in active sniffers of leaded petrol on admission to hospital but were also increased in those sniffing unleaded petrol in the remote community. ⋯ The data suggest that elevated creatine kinase associated with petrol sniffing may be due to compounds in petrol other than the lead additives, possibly volatile hydrocarbon components. Elevated creatine kinase may be useful in detecting current petrol sniffing activity, particularly in locations using unleaded petrol.