The Effect of Noxious in Chemical Industry on the Radial Nerve in Exposed Workers

The aim of this paper is the analysis of electroneurographic and neurological findings at workers in chemical industry. An analysis of the working conditions in the cartridge and drying sections of paint and lacquer industry has shown an above permitted level of white spirit and toluene. The exposed group comprised 55 workers occupationally exposed to these noxae, whilst the control group included 35 workers who had never been exposed to the same agents. The exposed workers more frequently complained of numbness of the arm and leg, cramps in the shoulder and knee, and weakness in the arm and leg than did the control workers. The electromyoneurographic examination of the radial nerve showed that a decrease in motor and sensitive conduction velocity was more significant in the exposed group compared to the control. The re­ duction in motor and sensitive conduction velocity was in correlation with the length of expo­ sure to the noxae. Terminal latency of the radial nerve was significantly longer in the exposed group compared to the control, with an increase proportional to the exposure length. The ex­ posed workers had a significantly longer time of response to acoustic and visual stimuli. The re­ sults of the study suggest neurotoxic effects of the noxae detected in the cartridge and drying sections of paint and lacquer industry. Acta Medica Medianae 2003; 42 (3): 9-13.