Polyneuropathy caused by n-hexane contained in glues was, until recently, the typical occupational disease of shoemakers. Glues no longer contain large concentrations of this solvent, and in some cases, it as been completely replaced by other hydrocarbons. The authors investigated the health status in a group of shoemakers using glues containing 35% technical heptane. The same glue, not containing n-hexane, was used by a shoemaker who worked at home; she developed an otherwise unexplainable peripheral polyneuropathy. For each of the 16 subjects, the following procedures were carried out: environmental sampling, biological monitoring for Mek and heptane metabolites, a neurological and electromyographic examination. No neurological abnormalities were found in the workers that could be attributable to occupational exposure, probably due to the low level environmental contamination (< 100 mg/m3 n-heptane) found in the 7 factories and workshops studied where acceptable hygiene conditions existed. The time course and ratio of urinary metabolites of heptane were also studied, the latter showing a predominance of 2- and 3- heptanol in the initial phase and 2-5 heptandione at the end of the work week; probably, the presence of other solvents, such as Mek, can modify the ratio of metabolites and consequently the formation of neurotoxic compounds could result.

Adhesives↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Decrease in the n-hexane risk in shoe manufacturing industry].

In recent years the composition of the glues used in the shoe manufacturing industry in the "Riviera del Brenta" area (northern Italy) has changed considerably, with a gradual reduction of n-hexane. This fact emerged from a survey of 337 gluing stations in 105 shoe factories where 104 different commercial products containing organic solvents were found. The determining element in this change was the substitution of technical hexane with other refinery products which have a low n-hexane content (< 5%). There was a possible health risk due to n-hexane exposure in about only 10% of the gluing stations and in about 8% of commercial products, where mixtures of technical hexane are used. Ethyl acetate, cyclo-hexane, hexane isomers, methyl ethyl ketone, heptane and acetone are among the solvents most frequently used. This change means that assessment of glue composition will be necessary before beginning a health monitoring programme of the exposed population.

Adhesives↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in workers using column sewing machines: case reports and follow-up].

Fifteen cases of ulnar nerve neuropathy at cubital tunnel level were observed in women aged between 16 and 37 years employed in shoe factories. The women operated column sewing machines resting their elbows on the work table. Past evidence showed that the interval between the beginning of work and onset of neuropathy was generally more than one year but less than that for similar diseases observed in other jobs where arthritis of the elbow played a more important role and the average age was higher. It can therefore be supposed that arthritis in these shoes workers was of less significance, whereas local trauma, which was not prevented by the use of small soft cushions under the elbows (4 out of the 15 subjects had been using them for some time), seemed of greater importance. A period of less than one year (in one case only a few days) was deemed due to the presence of a pre-existing neuropathy of the elbow which had so far been asymptomatic. Cases treated within six months of onset showed marked improvement. However, rapidly worsening symptoms, independent of the degree of damage reached, often led to early treatment with favourable outcome in a short time, while slow and insidious onset brought a longer prognosis. The primary prevention suggested is to instruct workers as to the correct work posture, i.e., avoiding resting the elbows on the work table. As a secondary preventive measure, bearing in mind the need of early diagnosis and treatment, medical check-ups every six months are proposed.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Work and maternity: the perception pf work risk and the incomplete application of the law that protects maternity].

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Female↗