title: [Exposure to chemical substances at the workplace. Psychological and psychiatric effects].
abstract: This paper describes and classifies the psychological and psychiatric effects of exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Sixteen patients 3 males and 3 women referred for evaluation to the Mental Health Unit of the Hospital del Trabajador were studied. Symptoms of emotional and cognitive disorder were classified according to the type of exposure: acute (9 cases), or chronic (7 cases); evidence of toxicity (9 cases); and organic sequelae or significant cognitive impairment (4 cases). A classification of exposure effects is proposed, that may be used in epidemiological or medical surveillance studies. It is concluded that exposure to toxic chemicals may have psychological consequences independent of its effective toxicity.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trucco Burrows
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Exposición a sustancias químicas en el medio laboral. Efectos psicológicos y psiquiátricos.