Does n-heptane cause peripheral neurotoxicity? A case report in a shoemaker.
Subjective and electrophysiological signs relating to the central and peripheral nervous systems developed in a shoemaker, a few months after beginning work at home. Signs of central nervous system involvement rapidly disappeared after the end of the exposure, whereas those of mild peripheral neuropathy lasted for several months. The glue used contained a variety of solvents including ethylacetate, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, methylethylketone and others; n-hexane was not detected, whereas, unusually, n-heptane was. This exposure was reproduced experimentally in the same work room and the solvent air level did not exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold values. A tentative conclusion is that the toxic effects on the peripheral nerve are likely to be due to n-heptane.
Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria 18, Regione Veneto, Italy.
F
F
Valentini
R
R
Agnesi
L
L
Dal Vecchio
G B
GB
Bartolucci
E
E
De Rosa
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006536:Heptanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012775:Shoes
D006536:Heptanes; C028618:n-heptane