A neuropsychotoxicological assessment of workers in a sodium azide production plant.
OBJECTIVE
Despite its known toxicity and extensive current industrial use, the occupational neuropsychotoxicology of sodium azide has not yet been investigated.


METHODS
Neuropsychological and psychological tests, a symptom self-report questionnaire and haematological and cardiac measurements were gathered from 41 exposed workers and 42 unexposed workers in a chemical production plant yearly for 3 years.


RESULTS
The exposed workers presented significantly more acute symptoms of exposure (headache, vertigo, nausea, fatigue, cardiac palpitations, irritated or red eyes) than did the unexposed workers. However, only one chronic symptom was repeatedly and more significantly reported, namely trembling of the hands. No psychological or neuropsychological tests (reaction time, psychomotor, cognitive, chromatopsia, Profile of Mood States) differentiated the two groups. However, acute effects of exposure on plasma creatinine and on systolic pressure were noted. Low creatinine levels in the plasma of exposed workers correlated significantly with impairment of mood on the Profile of Mood States test, but not with any other measure. We recommend that workers exposed to sodium azide be assessed with tremometry, clinically and in a future field study.
Miljours
Sylvain
S
Hôpital Juif de Réadaptation, Laval, Quebec, Canada.
Braun
Claude M J
CM
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019810:Sodium Azide / Q000506:poisoning*
D019810:Sodium Azide; D003404:Creatinine