SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO TOLUENE AND STYRENE

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were used to evaluate possible subclinical impairment of the nervous system due to occupational expos ure to toluene and styrene. A group of 36 rotogravure printers with se vere exposure to toluene, 20 workers with severe exposure to styrene i n a glass laminate manufacturing plant, and a comparison group of heal thy subjects were studied. The severity of exposure was documented by measurements of toluene and styrene concentrations in breathing zone a ir, by hippuric acid concentration in urine in the group exposed to to luene, and by urinary mandelic acid concentration in the group exposed to styrene. Somatosensory evoked potentials were measured by stimulat ion of the median nerve at the wrist and the tibial nerve at the ankle . Peripheral conduction velocities (CVs) in both extremities and centr al conduction time (CCT) after tibial nerve stimulation were significa ntly decreased in both exposed groups. Significantly prolonged latenci es of peripheral and cortical SEPs to median nerve stimulation as well as cortical SEPs to tibial nerve stimulation were found in workers ex posed to styrene. Some abnormalities in SEPs at peripheral or spinal a nd cortical levels were found in eight workers exposed to toluene and six workers exposed to styrene. Of these, in three workers exposed to toluene and two to styrene increased CCT and delayed latencies of cort ical responses at normal conduction values in the periphery were found . A trend for increased frequency of abnormal SEPs with duration of ex posure to toluene and styrene and alcohol abuse was found. Abnormaliti es in SEPs in the exposed groups are most probably of multifactorial o rigin. Central SEP abnormalities in both exposed groups could indicate early signs of subclinical dysfunction at spinal and cortical levels and could be due to toluene or styrene exposure probably potentiated b y alcohol consumption in the group exposed to toluene.