Peripheral neurologic abnormalities among roofing workers: sentinel case and clinical screening.
Peripheral neuropathy developed in a 52-y-old roofer who was exposed to multiple solvents in one-ply roofing systems. Forty roofers who were exposed to various roofing systems were assessed by symptoms, occupational history, standardized physical examination, and measurement of vibrotactile thresholds of the upper and lower extremities. After exclusion of roofers who were predisposed to peripheral neuropathy, we detected abnormal vibrotactile thresholds in 42% (p < .001) of roofers' dominant toes and in 36% (p < .001) of roofers' nondominant toes; fewer roofers had abnormal sensory physical examinations or reported neuritic symptoms. Roofing workers may be at increased risk of peripheral neuropathy, perhaps resulting from exposure to solvents--particularly n-hexane, associated with one-ply roofing systems.
Herbert
R
R
Division of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Gerr
F
F
Luo
J
J
Harris-Abbott
D
D
Landrigan
P J
PJ
D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration
D012997:Solvents