“ Effect of human occupational exposure to organic solvents : An Electrophysiological Study . ”

185 www.ijbamr.com “Effect of human occupational exposure to organic solvents: An Electrophysiological Study.” *Reshu gupta **Abhishek Kawatra, ***K C Mathur , #BK Binawara, ##Rajniesh Sharma ^ Arvind Vyas ..................................................................................................................................... ABSTRACT: Introduction: Exposure to solvents is ubiquitous in modern industry and the workers are commonly exposed to mixtures of solvents. Aim & objectives: This study aims to assess the effect of prolonged occupational exposure to organic solvent mixtures on peripheral nerve conduction parameters of workers employed in automotive spray paint industry by using nerve conduction studies. Material & Methods: The recordings were done in a standard way using Medelec Synergy EMG and EP systems. The exposed group consisted of 100 workers professionally exposed to chemical noxae, while the control group also consisted of 100 workers with no contact with such noxae at their workplace, working/living in the same area, matched for age, height and working conditions. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) of ulnar, median, common peroneal, tibial and sural nerves were performed in both groups. The sensory nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of median, ulnar and sural nerves showed significant decline in exposed workers in comparison to the control group. Similarly, there was a significant increase in minimum F-wave latency and a significant decline in motor nerve conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the median, ulnar, common peroneal and tibial nerves of the exposed workers in terms of increasing duration of exposure. Conclusion: It is concluded that the present study suggests peripheral neurodegeneration in workers of paint and lacquer industry.