The Effect of Organic Solvents on the Peripheral Nervous System in Exposed Workers

An analysis of the working conditions in the cartridge, drying and top-coat sections of paint and lacquer industry has shown an above permitted level of white spirit and toluene. The exposed group comprised 100 workers occupationally exposed to these noxae, whilst the control group included 55 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 median and peroneal nerve showed that a decrease in motor and sensitive conduction velocity was more significant in the exposed group compared to the control. The reduction in motor and sensitive conduction velocity was in correlation with the length of exposure to the noxae. Terminal latency of the median and peroneal nerve was significantly longer in the exposed group compared to the control, with an increase proportional to the exposure length. The exposed workers had a significantly longer time of response to acoustic and visual stimuli. The results of the study suggest neurotoxic effects of the noxae detected in paint and lacquer industry.