Neuropsychological methods in the health surveillance of workers exposed to neurotoxic agents.
A neuropsychological screening system was developed for the following purposes: 1) evaluation of neurotoxic effects in groups working in potentially hazardous exposure conditions, 2) identification of affected workers in their periodical health examinations, and 3) assessment and follow-up of workers with health disturbances indicative of neurotoxic effects. The system includes a short neuropsychological test battery and a screen for subjective dysfunctions. The methods were tested out on a sample of workers (n = 181) representing various branches of the solvent-using industry. The material was divided into three subgroups with different levels of exposure, the "low exposure" group being used as a reference group. The neuropsychological screen and the screen for subjective dysfunctions both displayed a satisfactory specificity and sensitivity for this material, but screened, for the most part, different people. This discrepancy seems to support the present view of neuropsychological deficits and subjective changes as two different and partly independent reactions to solvent exposure: the behavioral tests and symptom inquiries are complementary, not alternative methods of screening. In addition, the results concerning subjective dysfunctions, but not the psychological test results, were found to be partly confused by the effects of work stress.
Hanninen
H
H
Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents