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PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical data on three cases of occupationally induced PCB-intoxication.

Since the ban of PCBs at the end of the 1970s, extensive measures have been undertaken in Germany to dispose of PCB contaminated transformers. We report on three patients with considerable skin exposure to PCBs, in particular to Clophen A 30, while repairing or dismounting transformers. The periods of exposure range from 4 and 5 to 20 years. All patients presented with distal-symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy as well as encephalopathy. In one of the cases, the neuropathy and encephalopathy progressed for a period of over 8 years after termination of exposure. In the two other cases the neurological deficits persisted over an observed period of 2-3 years. The reported clinical results may suggest that the long half-life of Clophen and its accumulation in fatty tissue can lead to persistence of PNS and CNS impairment long after the period of exposure.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurological investigations in 23 cases of pyrethroid intoxication reported to the German Federal Health Office.

In 1993, 64 cases of chronic pyrethroid intoxication were reported to the Federal Health Office in Germany. Shortly afterwards the media spoke of thousands of cases of pyrethroid intoxication in homes. 23 of the persons reported were examined in a neurological department on an inpatient basis using clinical neurological, neuroradiological and laboratory investigations, including the examination of pyrethroid values in blood and urine. The pyrethroid exposure involved carpets, moth killers, pesticide sprays and wood preservatives. Nine of the cases presented with severe somatic or psychiatric disorders with completely different clinical diagnoses, such as pituitary tumor, radiogenic lumbosacral plexus paralysis, Guillain- Barré syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, with no plausible relationship to exposure. Eight cases presented with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCS) and normal somatic findings. In six of the cases, a causal link between acute complaints and pyrethroid exposure could be established or not ruled out. There was, however, not a single case in which evidence for irreversible PNS or CNS lesions could be found.

Adult↗