Convulsions and hypoglycemia due to tetramethyl succinonitrile intoxication in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry: A 4-year follow-up

• Authors: Angela Enssli , Michael Koller

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: Exposure and clinical data concerning cases of toxic convulsions and hypoglycemia due to tetramethyl succinonitrile (TMSN) exposure are reported. Material and Methods: Forty-four workers exposed to TMSN in the PVC production plant participated in occupational health medical check-ups including medical history, clinical examination and clinical chemistry. A 4-year follow-up was performed. To evaluate occupational exposure, measurements of TMSN in the ambient air as well as personal air sampling were conducted. Results: Four workers suffered from convulsions with reversible pathologic EEG and 16 other persons were hypoglycemic. Other frequent symptoms included headaches, dizziness and unpleasant taste sensations. TMSN levels had been clearly above the Swiss occupational exposure limit value (MAK). Occupational hygiene interventions resulted in a reduction of the TMSN concentration below the MAK value. TMSN related symptoms have not been observed anymore in the 4-year follow-up. Conclusion: TMSN is a convulsive substance which in humans has also a hypoglycemic effect.

Keywords

EN

tetramethyl succinonitrile; neurotoxicity; convulsion; Epilepsy; occupational exposure; hypoglycemia

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 188-195

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Angela Enssli

• Swiss Int. Air Lines Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland
• Occupational Medicine Department, AEH Zentrum fur Arbeitsmedizin, Ergonomie und Hygiene AG, Zurich, Switzerland

author

Michael Koller

• Occupational Medicine Department, Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva), Lucerne, Switzerland

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0244-1

Biblioteka Nauki

2178819