QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF COLOR-VISION IMPAIRMENT IN WORKERS EXPOSEDTO TOLUENE

Color vision was examined by the Lanthony-D-15 desaturated test in two groups of workers occupationally exposed to toluene and in a control group. Biological parameters of toluene exposure were analyzed: toluen e in air and in venous blood, orthocresol, and hippuric acid in urine after workshift. The first exposed group, Group E-1, comprised 41 work ers (toluene exposure ranged from 11.30 to 49.30 ppm), and the second exposed group, Group E, comprised 32 workers (toluene exposure ranged from 66.00 to 250.00 ppm). The nonexposed group, Group NE, comprised 8 3 subjects. Each group was divided into two subgroups, alcohol consume rs and nonconsumers. Color vision loss was expressed as a color confus ion index (CCI) and as age and alcohol intake-adjusted color confusion inner (AACCI). Significantly higher values of CCI and AACCI (both P < 0.0001) in Group E-2 in comparison to Group NE, and significantly hig her CCI (P < 0.0001) and AACCI (P < 0.05) values in Group E-2 ill comp arison to Group E-1 were established. The significant difference in CC I value between alcohol consumers and nonconsumers was established onl y in Group NE (P < 0.05). In Group NE significant correlation was foun d between CCI value as a dependent and age and alcohol intake as indep endent cofactors (R-2 = 0.45; P = 0.0000). In Group E-2 significant co rrelation was established between CCI as a dependent factor and age, t oluene in air and alcohol intake (R-2 = 0.72; P = 0.0001), or between CCI as dependent and age, toluene in blood and alcohol intake as indep endent cofactors (R-2 = 0.68; P = 0.0002). In Group E-1 significant co rrelation was established only between CCI and age (P < 0.005). In Gro up E-2, AACCI value significantly correlated with toluene in air (P < 0.0001), toluene in blood (r < 0.0005), orthocresol (P < 0.005) and hi ppuric acid (P < 0.005) in urine after workshift. There were no differ ences between smokers and nonsmokers in CCI values in the examined gro ups. Results of this study indicate that toluene in exposed workers ca n impair color vision. The role of alcohol intake and age influence on color vision loss cannot be ignored in such workers. (C) 1998 Wiley-L iss, Inc.