Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in rubber factory workers.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) on median nerve stimulation were studied in 38 rubber factory workers to detect possible subclinical impairments in the somatosensory pathway as a result of exposure to rubber factory chemicals. Results showed trend towards the prolongation of latencies of all the major peaks of SEP such as P1, N1, P2, N2, P3, N3 in exposed workers besides changes in peak to peak amplitudes (higher P1-N1 and lower N2-P3). These changes may be attributed to synergistic action of solvents and other rubber factory chemicals on the generators of SEPs located higher up at the thalamo-cortical level.