Blue-yellow deficiency in workers exposed to low concentrations of organic solvents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of low concentrations of organic solvents on color vision.


METHODS
Color vision was examined in 24 workers exposed to mixtures of solvents and in 24 control subjects. Exposure to mixtures was below the threshold-limit values. Color vision ability was assessed using the Ishihara plates (to screen for congenital dyschromatopsia), the Farnsworth panel D-15 test, the Lanthony desaturated panel D-15 test, and the Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates part 2 (SPP2 test).


RESULTS
The comparatively less sensitive Farnsworth panel D-15 test failed to show any difference between the groups, but the Lanthony panel D-15 desaturated test as well as the SPP2 test showed a significant impairment in the exposed group. Errors were of the blue-yellow type.


CONCLUSIONS
This study gives further evidence that even mixtures of organic solvents at concentrations below the threshold-limit values may impair color vision.
Muttray
A
A
Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany.
Wolff
U
U
Jung
D
D
Konietzko
J
J
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011603:Psychophysiology / Q000379:methods; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents