Occupational Exposures with chemicals and UC

Hi,

I have had 3 flare-ups this year (2 months apart), but prior to this year I have not had a flare-up for 2 years. I understand that UC has a mind of its own, but I started thinking about what I might have been exposed to this year as opposed to previous years that could have possibly contributed to my flare-ups.

I am a student working in a lab full of chemicals, mostly solvents (i.e. Benzene, IPA, DCM, methanol, etc). I only started working in the lab this year, and although my doctor isn't aware of any studies linking occupational exposures such as lab chemical to UC, I found the following articles on PubMED.gov:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16691608
Although this is only an abstract, the conclusion states, "In a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis in remission, occupational exposure to mercury vapor led to episodes of disease reactivation."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2702592
Another article states that there is an increase risk for colon cancer in those exposed to asbestos and organic solvents.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2638566
And here's a patient with UC and long-standing exposure to organic solvents who developed kidney problems.

I just thought I'd share a few studies on this and was wondering if any of you know more about it. Maybe some of you also work with chemicals and have had flare-ups. I'm going to present these to my doctor tomorrow and let you know the feedback.

Interesting. I always wonder what may have "caused" my UC. I don't think I've been exposed to any of those tyeps of chemicals but I do think I have a bacteria or something.