Two-year evolution of perchloroethylene-induced color-vision loss.
Progression of perchloroethylene-induced color-vision impairment was studied in 33 dry-cleaner workers at 12 establishments in Modena, Italy. In an initial survey, we evaluated exposure with personal passive samplers, and we assessed color vision with the Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel. Two years later, workers were reexamined. In 19 workers (subgroup A), exposure to perchloroethylene had increased (median of 1.7 ppm versus 4.3 ppm, respectively), whereas in the remaining 14 workers (subgroup B) exposure was reduced (2.9 ppm versus 0.7 ppm, respectively). Color vision worsened in subgroup A, but no vision changes were apparent in subgroup B. The results indicated that an increase in exposure during a 2-y period, even if slight, can cause color vision to deteriorate. A similar slight reduction in exposure did not lead to color-vision improvement; perhaps this lack of improvement resulted from (a) an insufficient reduction in exposure, (b) an insufficient reduction in duration of exposure, or (c) irreversible perchloroethylene-induced color-vision loss.
Gobba
F
F
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Modena, Italy.
Righi
E
E
Fantuzzi
G
G
Predieri
G
G
Cavazzuti
L
L
Aggazzotti
G
G
D000328:Adult; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene