Effects of occupational exposure to toluene: a neuropsychological study on workers in Singapore.
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.
Boey
K W
KW
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong.
Foo
S C
SC
Jeyaratnam
J
J
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*
D014050:Toluene