The authors present the results of medical examinations of 444 workers from an aluminum electrolysis plants with occupational exposure to fluorides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, aluminum dust and electromagnetic fields. The concentration of fluorides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exceeded the accepted levels. Nervous system changes, probably caused by occupational harmful factors, were demonstrated in 123 workers, with neurotic syndromes in 89. Slight pyramidal and cerebellar changes were observed in the remaining 39 workers. In 71 cases EEG investigations were done and 10 were abnormal, including 9 with seizure activity, and one with diffuse changes. The authors stress great difficulties in evaluating the combined action of toxic and physical factors on the nervous system.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of organic solvents on the central nervous system].

Psychological tests and EEG investigations were applied for detecting early signs of neurotoxicity of organic solvents present in glues used in the production of shoes (extraction benzin, toluene and n-hexane). In 5% of the obtained samples the permissible benzin concentration was exceeded, and in 10% of samples this permissible concentration of toluene was exceeded. Psychological testing was done in 100 subjects. The intelligence level was at the lower normal range. Organic cortical changes were demonstrated in 35 cases, and borderline pathological changes in 28 cases. The test of L. Bender suggested damage to the occipital cortex in 31, and the Graham-Kendal test demonstrated abnormalities in 13 cases. EEG was done in 56 subjects in this group and in another 9 subjects with a high concentration of toluene metabolite. In 75.4% of subjects the EEG findings were classified as normal, within normal limits or borderline normal. Abnormal EEG tracings were found in 24.0%. Diffuse, slight or moderately intense abnormalities were present in 7 cases, focal abnormalities in 4 and seizure activity in 7. Most subjects with abnormal EEG findings worked under conditions of excessive exposure, with the summarized exposure index exceeding the acceptable one. No correlation was demonstrated between cortical pathological changes and the degree of occupational exposure and the type of EEG tracings. The authors suggest that organic occipital cortical changes may be regarded as an early phase of organic brain damage syndrome and disturbances of cerebral bioelectric activity as a sign of individual biological response to chronic action of organic solvents on the organism.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Protracted manganese-induced encephalopathy. Preliminary results of treatment with Sinemet preparation].

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Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebral bioelectrical activity disorders in acute hydrazine poisoning].

The authors report changes in the bioelectric activity of the brain in acute, severe, suicidal poisoning with hydrazide. The observed group comprised 10 patients, 9 were admitted in coma, 7 had convulsions. Normal EEG tracing was found in a case of combined poisoning with hydrazide and diazepam. Low-voltage tracings with a tendency for bioelectric inactivity development were observed in 2 cases with lethal outcome. In the remaining cases high-grade diffuse changes were present, in three of them seizure activity was present additionally. Full evolution of bioelectric changes was observed in 5 patients. The time of return of normal activity ranged from several days to several weeks. Very slow improvement with incomplete normalization was found in mixed intoxication (hydrazide, barbiturates) treated with haemodialysis. The authors think that in cases with persistence of EEG changes despite regression of acute signs of poisoning intensive treatment with vitamins B should be continued.

Acute Disease↗

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[Aluminum neurotoxicity].

Adverse health effects of aluminium (Al), especially its possible role in aetiology of some human neurodegenerative disorders, e.g. dialysis encephalopathy syndrome, Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis of Guam, dementia, are presented. The influence of Al on brain protein synthesis is discussed. The author pays attention to the health risk connected with growing amount of Al in our ecosystem.

Aluminum↗

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[Assessment of early psychic dysfunctions due to metallic mercury].

The aim of the study was to find the most sensitive psychological test battery, useful for evaluation of the earliest dysfunctions in workers exposed to metallic mercury (Hg). To assess the above mentioned disorders, six tests of interference and four tests of motor reactions were applied. The examinations were performed in 44 male workers exposed to Hg in the process of acetic aldehyde synthesis. The control group was matched for sex, age and educational level. The obtained results showed that in the detection od early dysfunctions of the nervous system, psychological tests of interference are more useful than test of the motor reactions. This toxicological test battery can be recommended for monitoring workers exposed to metallic mercury.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Influence of low frequency electromagnetic fields on the nervous system].

The methods present a short review of the literature dealing with non-thermal bioeffect of electromagnetic fields (EMF), mainly of low and extremely low frequency. The main attention is paid to the information about disorders of the nervous system and about epidemiologic studies of brain tumors in the population exposed to EMF. All quoted authors have stressed great difficulties in the right assessment of adverse effects due to EMF's because of their non-specific influence on the biological structures.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurotoxicology problems presented at the 24th International Congress of Labor Medicine, Nice].

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Abortion, Induced↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the nervous system due to occupational metallic mercury poisoning].

At the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, during 12 years, chronic mercury intoxication was diagnosed in 34 persons. There were male workers tending technological processes in which Hg was used as a catalyst (synthesis of acetic aldehyde and obtaining chlorine). The length of professional exposure was 13-34 years (mean 20.6). The patients were removed from the contact with Hg after Hg intoxication case was confirmed. During the following 11 years, 24 of them were reexamined in the clinical department 2-4 times. The clinical picture of the poisoning consisted mainly of neurasthenic, cerebellar (30 persons), psychoorganic symptoms (20 persons) and behavioural changes (irritability, aggressive states). Headaches, sleep and recent memory disturbances, progressive behavioral changes, dizziness, were the most frequent complaints. The authors stressed the irreversibility of central nervous disorders despite cessession of the exposure to Hg. The degree of cerebellar intensity changes did not handicap examined patients. This is especially important to show the difference between the above described clinical picture of Hg intoxication and multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗