Neuropsychological sequelae of exposure to welding fumes in a group of occupationally exposed men.
This study compares the neuropsychological function, emotional status, visual function, and illness prevalence of 76 former and current chemical industry welders primarily involved in steel welding, and exposed to welding fumes for an average of 24.9 years with that of 42 unexposed, non-welder controls. Health and occupational history questionnaires were administered, as were the neuropsychological tests included in the World Health Organization Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery, Luria Motor Test, and selected tests from the WAIS-III, and WMS-III. Emotional status tests included the BSI, POMS, BAI, and BDI, and vision tests included the Snellen near visual acuity, Lanthony d-15 color vision, Vistech Contrast Sensitivity, and Schirmer strips. While welders and controls performed similarly on tests of verbal skills, verbal retention, and auditory span, welders performed worse than controls on tests of verbal learning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, visuomotor processing speed, and motor efficiency. Welders had poorer color vision and emotional status, and increased prevalence of illnesses and psychiatric symptoms. The increased symptoms in welders were related to decreased scores on tasks measuring verbal learning, visuomotor abilities, visuospatial abilities, and information processing, and motor efficiency. Within the group of welders, the number of hours welding was negatively related to scores on verbal learning, auditory span, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and motor efficiency.
Bowler
Rosemarie M
RM
Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, California, USA. rbowl@sfsu.edu
Gysens
Sabine
S
Diamond
Emily
E
Booty
Andrew
A
Hartney
Christopher
C
Roels
Harry A
HA
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014787:Vision Tests; D014896:Welding
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational