F. Thomke et al., Increased risk of sensory neuropathy in workers with chloracne after exposure to 2,3,7,8-polychlorinated dioxins and furans, ACT NEUR SC, 100(1), 1999, pp. 1-5
Objective - The existence of a peripheral neuropathy after exposure to poly
chlorinated dioxins (PCDD) is still discussed, as studies concerning dioxin
effects on the peripheral nervous system are rare and contradictory. Mater
ial and methods - Clinical and neurophysiological examinations (motor condu
ction velocity of the peroneal nerve, sensory conduction velocities of the
sural and ulnar nerves) were made in 156 dioxin exposed workers (42 with, 1
14 without cloracne) from one pesticide producing plant. Because of known r
isk factors for peripheral neuropathy, 7 workers with and 28 without clorac
ne were excluded from further analysis. Results - Workers with chloracne ha
d a significantly higher exposure against PCDD as documented by back calcul
ated lipid levels. They complained significantly more often of sexual impot
ence (28.6% compared to 5.8% of workers without chloracne, P<0.001), had si
gnificantly more frequent clinical signs of a sensory neuropathy (= abnorma
l sensory findings plus deep tendon reflex abnormalities) restricted to the
legs (17.1% compared to 1.2%, P<0.001), had significantly more frequent gr
eater than or equal to 2 neurophysiologic abnormalities (34.3% compared to
14.0%, P<0.025), and had significantly lower mean amplitudes of the motor c
ompound muscle potential of the peroneal nerve. Conclusion - PCDD has a mil
d toxic effect on the peripheral nervous system manifesting as mild sensory
neuropathy of the legs in a minority of the most severely exposed persons.