title: Effects of occupational exposure to toluene: a neuropsychological study on workers in Singapore.
abstract: The neuropsychological functionings of workers (n = 29) occupationally exposed to low level of toluene (mean blood toluene level 1.25 ug/ml, standard deviation [SD] 0.37 ug/ml) were assessed by a test battery based on the recommendation of US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The data revealed that the exposed workers performed poorer than a control group (mean blood toluene level 0.16 ug/ml, SD 0.06 ug/ml) in short-term memory, sustained attention and concentration, visual scanning, perceptual-motor speed, and finger dexterity. Results of the study confirmed that exposure to toluene may result in different degree of impairments of brain functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Boey
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeyaratnam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009484:Neuropsychology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012846:Singapore; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014050:Toluene