Peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to nitromethane.
BACKGROUND
Two workers from a headlight subassembly plant developed severe peripheral neuropathy. These workers had extensive, but brief (1-2 months) dermal and inhalational exposure to nitromethane, a solvent.


METHODS
Environmental sampling was performed for nitromethane and ethyl cyanoacrylate. Medical records, including electrodiagnostic studies, were reviewed. Literature on nitromethane, ethyl cyanoacrylate, and other exposures in the workplace was reviewed.


RESULTS
Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on these patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation. Environmental sampling revealed exposure to nitromethane at the threshold limit value.


CONCLUSIONS
The history of acute onset of severe peripheral neuropathy temporally associated with exposure to nitromethane is suggestive of a toxic neuropathy. While it cannot be definitively concluded that these two workers developed peripheral neuropathy secondary to exposures at work, occupational exposure to nitromethane appears to be the most likely etiology.
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E H
EH
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998, USA. edp7@cdc.gov
Pajeau
A K
AK
Arnold
T C
TC
Fincher
A R
AR
Goddard
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008697:Methane / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D009595:Nitroparaffins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D020711:Threshold Limit Values
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D009595:Nitroparaffins; D012997:Solvents; D008697:Methane; C008640:nitromethane