Neurological and neurophysiological examinations of workers exposed to arsenic levels exceeding hygiene standards

• Authors: Halina Sińczuk-Walczak , Beata M. Janasik , Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka , Magdalena Stanisławska , Maria Szymczak , Tadeusz Hałatek , Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: The assessment of the neurotoxic effect of arsenic (As) and its inorganic compounds is still the subject of interest due to a growing As application in a large array of technologies and the need to constantly verify the principles of prevention and technological parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the status of the nervous system (NS) in workers exposed to As at concentrations exceeding hygiene standards (Threshold Limit Values (TLV) – 10 μg/m³, Biological Exposure Index (BEI) – 35 μg/l) and to analyze the relationship between the NS functional state, species of As in urine and As levels in the workplace air. Material and Methods: The study group comprised 21 men (mean age: 47.43±7.59) employed in a copper smelting factory (mean duration of employment: 22.29±11.09). The control group comprised 16 men, matched by age and work shifts. Arsenic levels in the workplace air (As-A) ranged from 0.7 to 92.3 μg/m³; (M = 25.18±28.83). The concentration of total arsenic in urine (Astot-U) ranged from 17.35 to 434.68 μg/l (M = 86.82±86.6). Results: Syndrome of peripheral nervous system (PNS) was manifested by extremity fatigue (28.6%), extremity pain (33.3%) and paresthesia in the lower extremities (33.3%), as well as by neuropathy-type mini-symptoms (23.8%). Electroneurographic (ENeG) tests of peroneal nerves showed significantly decreased response amplitude with normal values of motor conduction velocity (MCV). Stimulation of sural nerves revealed a significantly slowed sensory conduction velocity (SCV) and decreased sensory potential amplitude. Neurophysiological parameters and the results of biological and environmental monitoring showed a relationship between $\text{As}^\text{tot}$, $\text{As}^\text{III}$ (trivalent arsenic), the sum of iAs ($\text{As}^\text{III}+\text{As}^\text{V}$ (pentavalent arsenic))+MMA (monomethylarsonic acid) concentration in urine and As levels in the air. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic levels exceeding hygiene standards (TLV, BEI) generates disorders typical of peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords

EN

occupational exposure; arsenic speciation; nervous system; neuropathy; neurophysiological test

• 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: 6
• Pages: 1013-1025

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Halina Sińczuk-Walczak

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Beata M. Janasik

• Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka

• Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Magdalena Stanisławska

• Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Maria Szymczak

• Institute of Sociology, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland

author

Tadeusz Hałatek

• Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

• Department of Occupational Diseases and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0316-2

Biblioteka Nauki

2179016