Neurobehavioral evaluation in humans exposed to hydrocarbons: A new statistical approach

Background: Epidemiological researches showed a significant increase in the alterations of the cognitive and emotional sphere in subjects exposed to h ydrocarbons. This paper deals with a study carried out on a group of male w orkers between the ages of 35 and 40, who had been working as external work ers in a large refinery. Methods: All the subjects worked in short shift ro tation and were exposed to hydrocarbons during the loading of tank trucks. The response data reported by this investigation are compared to data of di fferent male subjects who had a Iso been working at the refinery for the sa me period of time, but as administrative day workers, and were certainly n ot exposed to the hydrocarbons. The nonparametric statistical analysis was carried out by a new nonparametric approach based on multivariate permutati on tests. Results: Results show a significant difference in the response to neurobehavioral tests. The exposed group showed behavioral tendencies towa rds anxiety and depression that the nonexposed group did not. Conclusions: The study shows that occupational exposure to hydrocarbons is associated wi th neurobehavioral modifications, and that the use of psychometric tests ca n be useful for monitoring the psychosomatic consequences by exposure to hy drocarbon microdoses. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.