NEUROBEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO XYLENE AND MIXED ORGANIC-SOLVENTS IN SHIPYARD SPRAY PAINTERS

A cross-sectional study was performed in shipyard painters exposed to organic solvents and age-matched referents. The work duties of the pai nters mainly involved spray painting with solvent-based paints contain ing > 50% xylene. Testing methods consisted of a symptoms questionnair e, measurement of peripheral sensory and motor nerve parameters and co mputerized performance tests. Results indicate that complaints regardi ng mood changes, equilibrium and fatigue were more severe in painters than in referents, but were not related to the estimated life-time exp osure index. Decreased nerve function was observed in the lower extrem ities and to some extent in the upper extremities. The refractory peri od appeared to be a sensitive parameter in motor nerves. Most neurophy siological parameters investigated were significantly related to the e xposure index. Behavioral testing revealed impairment of simple visuo- motor performance and complex perceptual coding. A relationship betwee n effects on perceptual coding and the exposure index was also demonst rated. (C) 1994 Intox Press, Inc.