Peripheral neuropathy in styrene-exposed workers.
BACKGROUND
The toxicity of styrene on the peripheral nervous system is still debated.


METHODS
The paper presents two cases of peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy in styrene-exposed workers. Exposure, evaluated by biological monitoring, ranged between 100 and 150% of the current limits proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The subjects complained of leg weakness and numbness, cramps, and paresthesia. Electrophysiology revealed a moderate peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy of a demyelinating type. Color-vision testing showed a subclinical deficit. Common inherited and acquired causes of peripheral neuropathy and dyschromatopsia other than styrene were ruled out by personal history, medical examination, laboratory data, and chest X-ray.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that long-term occupational exposure to environmental levels of styrene that are equal, or slightly above, the ACGIH limits can induce a clinical form of peripheral neuropathy and a subclinical impairment of color vision. As a consequence, a careful reappraisal of the real preventive meaning of the current ACGIH occupational limit for styrene, at least on an individual basis, is needed.
Gobba
F
F
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena, Italy.
Cavalleri
F
F
Bontadi
D
D
Torri
P
P
Dainese
R
R
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D020058:Styrene; D013343:Styrenes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013343:Styrenes; D020058:Styrene