An epidemic of urinary retention caused by dimethylaminopropionitrile.
An epidemic of urinary retention among workers in a polyurethane manufacturing plant was discovered in the spring of 1978. The most severely affected workers had neurogenic bladders confirmed by cystometrograms and mild sensory peripheral neuropathy. A survey of the plant disclosed increased incidence of urinary retention, muscle weakness, paresthesia, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction in exposed workers. A catalyst containing dimethylaminopropionitrile was identified as the probable causative agent, and after its removal no new cases occurred.
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000629:Aminopropionitrile / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D011140:Polyurethanes; D000629:Aminopropionitrile; C019348:dimethylaminopropionitrile