STUDY OF URINARY MANDELIC-ACID CONCENTRATION AND PERIPHERAL-NERVE CONDUCTION AMONG STYRENE WORKERS

The relationship between exposure to styrene and nerve conduction velo cities was investigated in 32 workers occupationally exposed to styren e. There was a dose-dependent relationship between urinary mandelic ac id and ulnar and peroneal motor distal latencies (MDLs). The ulnar and peroneal MDLs of subgroup B (urinary mandelic acid greater than or eq ual to 250 mg/l were significantly longer than those of subgroup A (ur inary mandelic acid < 250 mg/l) (p < 0.05), and the referent group (p < 0.03). After adjusting confounding factors, urinary mandelic acid ha d a significant positive relationship with ulnar and peroneal MDL. Our study suggests that a low level of styrene, below the 50 ppm exposure limit of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist s (ACGIH), involves the risk of inducing adverse effects on the periph eral nervous system. The study also indicated that motor distal latenc y is a sensitive parameter of tonic peripheral neuropathy. (C) 1996 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.