Blink reflex latency after exposure to trichloroethylene in well water.
The electrophysiological measurement of the blink reflex (BR) can quantify the conduction latency in the reflex arc involving the Vth (trigeminal) and VIIth (facial) cranial nerves. We measured the electrophysiological BR in a population (N = 21), which had alleged chronic exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) through the public drinking water at levels 30-80 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). A highly significant difference was observed in the conduction latency means of the BR components (p less than .0001), when the study population was compared with laboratory controls (N = 27). This difference suggests a subclinical alteration of the Vth cranial nerve function due to chronic, environmental exposure to TCE.
Feldman
R G
RG
Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts.
Chirico-Post
J
J
Proctor
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014881:Water Supply
D014873:Water Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014241:Trichloroethylene