The neurotoxicity of industrial solvents: a review of the literature.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Baker EL Jr. ; Landrigan, Philip J. ; Smith, Thomas J.
• Description:
  The neurotoxicity of industrial solvents is reviewed. The construction and repair of modern boats involve the use of large volumes of organic solvents, particularly styrene (100425). An historical account of the acute neurotoxic effects of heavy exposure to organic solvents is given. The uptake of solvent into the peripheral blood is discussed. Factors affecting the uptake of organic solvents are outlined. A brief immersion of hands of workers in xylene (1330207) produces blood concentrations of xylene comparable to those following an 8 hour inhalation exposure at 100 parts per million, the threshold limit value for the solvent. The rate of solvent uptake through the skin varies substantially among workers, owing to variation in skin thickness. The metabolism of xylene is discussed. Factors that affect metabolism, such as alcohol ingestion, are summarized. The excretion of solvents is either by exhalation or through urinary excretion, mostly as unchanged or solvent metabolites. Experimental human studies on the neurotoxicity of solvents are discussed. Neurological syndromes after solvent exposure include loss of smell, loss of visual acuity, and toxic optic neuropathy. The epidemiological studies on xylene exposure are discussed. Toxic effects may be prevented by reduction of airborne exposure concentrations. The authors conclude that the biological monitoring of exposed populations and the screening of workers after work shifts are necessary in the control of solvent exposure toxicity. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Hazardous Substances Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Nervous System Occupational Health Plastics Safety Skin Solvents Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Organic Solvents Boatbuilding Dermatology Industrial-environment Industrial-exposures Industrial-hygiene Nerve-function Neurotoxicity Neurotoxicology NIOSH-Author Occupational Disease Styrene Toxic-effects

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  207-217
• Volume:
  8
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00153478
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 1985 Sep; 8(3):207-217
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr. Baker, Occupational Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
• CAS Registry Number:
  Styrene (CAS RN 100-42-5) ; Xylene (CAS RN 1330-20-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1985
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:08dec6df6e3e956bf2f9369c735c1942815c1cd743e2943b1b8e0b57372b17a3fa37182a9a8021e35b159a79b83b0bdb79d3c09ed31940d459d8570418b502c1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/184904/cdc_184904_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 749.90 KB ]