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

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

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 Astot, AsIII (trivalent arsenic), the sum of iAs (AsIII+AsV (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.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Halina Sińczuk-Walczak & Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa

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

    Beata M. Janasik, Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka, Magdalena Stanisławska & Tadeusz Hałatek

  3. Institute of Sociology, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland

    Maria Szymczak

Authors
  1. Halina Sińczuk-Walczak
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  2. Beata M. Janasik
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  3. Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka
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  4. Magdalena Stanisławska
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  5. Maria Szymczak
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  6. Tadeusz Hałatek
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  7. Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa
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Correspondence to Halina Sińczuk-Walczak.

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Sińczuk-Walczak, H., Janasik, B.M., Trzcinka-Ochocka, M. et al. Neurological and neurophysiological examinations of workers exposed to arsenic levels exceeding hygiene standards. IJOMEH 27, 1013–1025 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0316-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-014-0316-2

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