Module 3: Toxicology - Section 15: The Liver and Occupational Haematology
Occupation And Disorders Of The Liver And The Blood - Objectives and Activities
 

OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module you should:
  1. have an overview of the ways in which the liver and haematological system can be damaged by occupational toxins and infections.
  2. be aware of the more "important" (although uncommon) occupational blood disorders, in particular the effects of benzene and agents causing methaemoglobinaemia.
  3. be aware of the more "important" (although uncommon) toxins affecting the liver in particular some chlorinated solvents.
  4. appreciate the occupational aspects of hepatitis virus;
  5. have an approach to medical surveillance for liver and haematological hazards, including an understanding of the differential diagnosis of laboratory abnormalities.

The material will be presented at the basic level.

ACTIVITIES:

  1. Background: Revise your understanding of the basic features of the liver and haematological system.
  2. The notes highlight some of the more important and interesting features of the subject. Read the attached note.

EXERCISES:

None for this section.

READINGS:

  1. Kazantzis G, Liver. ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety (3rd edn): Vol. 1, pages 4.1-4.4.
  2. Goldstein BD. Haematopoetic and lymphatic system. ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety (3rd edn): Vol. 1, pages 1.1-1.9.



Creative Commons License
Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health (DOH) - Modules 3: Occupational Medicine & Toxicology (Basic) by Profs Mohamed Jeebhay and Rodney Ehrlich, Health Sciences UCT is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 South Africa License. Major contributors: Mohamed Jeebhay, Rodney Ehrlich, Jonny Myers, Leslie London, Sophie Kisting, Rajen Naidoo, Saloshni Naidoo. Source available from here. For any updates to the material, or more permissions beyond the scope of this license, please email healthoer@uct.ac.za or visit www.healthedu.uct.ac.za. Last updated Jan 2007.
Disclaimer note: Some resources and descriptions may be out-dated. For suggested updates and feedback, please contact healthoer@uct.ac.za.