ILO Home
Go to the home page
Site map | Contact us Français | Español

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)68589
CIS number 97-573
ISSN - Serial title 0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Year 1996
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Vrca A., Karačić V., Božičević D., Božikov V., Malinar M.
Title Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in individuals exposed to long-term low concentrations of toluene
Bibliographic information July 1996, Vol.30, No.1, p.62-66. 23 ref.
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure to low concentration of toluene on the central nervous system by using brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). Forty nine printing plant workers occupationally exposed to low concentrations of toluene for an average of 20.3 years and 59 non-exposed controls were examined. The level of exposure to toluene was evaluated by defining the concentration of toluene in peripheral blood and the concentration of hippuric acid and ortho-cresol in urine. In the group of exposed workers, a significant decrease in all wave amplitudes examined, a significant prolongation of P1 wave latency and an increased interval of interpeak latencies (P3-P5) were found. This indicates that the extramedullary and high medullary part of the auditory pathway are biologically most frequently affected by long-term exposure to low concentrations of toluene.
Descriptors (primary) neurotoxic effects; audiometric tests; toluene; printing industry
Descriptors (secondary) diseases of central nervous system; exposure tests; long-term exposure; exposure evaluation
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceCroatia
Subject(s) Paper-making and printing
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the nervous system
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Printing, photography and photocopying industry