title: Neuropsychological effects of ethylene dichloride exposure.
abstract: Production of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) has increased and exposure to it has been reported to produce adverse effects in animals and CNS effects in humans. A group of 221 EDC exposed hazardous clean-up workers incurred chronic exposure to EDC without protective equipment. A clinical history and the following tests were administered: the WHO Adult Environmental Neurobehavioral Test Battery (AENTB), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III); WRAT 3 Reading, Cancellation H, Trail Making, Stroop, Rey Osterreith, Animal Naming, COWAT, TOMM, Rey 15, Lanthony d-15 Color Vision, and Vistech Contrast Sensitivity. Mood and symptoms were assessed with the SCL90-R, BDI, BAI and IES. The clinical neuropsychological evaluation of these workers indicates lower neuropsychological functioning in the domains of processing speed; attention; cognitive flexibility; motor coordination and speed; verbal memory; verbal fluency; and visuo-spatial abilities. These workers also showed disturbed mood and impaired vision. Dose/response relationships between exposure to EDC and test scores are shown.
authors.affiliation: rbowl@sfsu.edu
authors.forename: Rosemarie M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bowler
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gysens
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides; D015386:Hazardous Substances; C024565:ethylene dichloride