Colour vision and occupational toluene exposure: results of repeated examinations.
Potential effects of human occupational exposures to toluene on colour vision were investigated in a follow-up study over 4 years with three repeated examinations. Colour vision was measured with the Lanthony desaturated colour vision test D-15d, and the colour confusion index (CCI) was calculated. The mean current exposures were 26+/-21 ppm for printers (high toluene level) and 3+/-4 ppm for end-processors (low toluene level). The mean exposure durations were 23+/-6 years for "long-time exposed" and 7+/-2 years for "short-time exposed" subjects. Repeated analyses (n=162) and multiple regressions (maximum available n=267) did not reveal significant effects of toluene with respect to intensity or duration of current or long-term exposure. Age and occupational qualification were significantly associated with CCI in both kinds of analysis, whereas alcohol consumption (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, CDT) and smoking habits (cigarettes per day) were not. It is concluded that current industrial exposure limits of toluene provide sufficient protection against possible disturbance of colour vision.
Schäper
Michael
M
Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie an der Universität Dortmund, Ardeystr. 67, D-44139 Dortmund, Germany. schaeper@ifado.de
Demes
Peter
P
Kiesswetter
Ernst
E
Zupanic
Michaela
M
Seeber
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003118:Color Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011327:Printing; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014050:Toluene