Effects of high doses of toluene on color vision

High exposure to toluene may cause optic neuropathy and retinopathy, both a ssociated with dyschromatopsia. Another solvent, ethanol, is known to induc e acute blue-yellow dyschromatopsia. This study investigated the acute effe cts of high doses of toluene on color vision. Eight male printshop workers were examined before and after cleaning printing containers with pure tolue ne. After cleaning, concentrations of toluene in blood were between 3.61 an d 7.37 mg/l. Color vision was tested with the Farnsworth panel D-15 test, t he Lanthony desaturated panel D-15 test, and the Standard Pseudoisochromati c Plates part 2. For control of possible acute effects, eight workers of a metalworking factory without any neurotoxic exposure were tested according to the same procedure. Acute exposure to toluene did not cause impairment o f color vision. However, statistical power is limited due to the small numb er of exposed subjects. Color vision of the printshop workers tested before cleaning war slightly impaired (statistically not significant) when compar ed with unexposed subjects. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser ved.