Trinitrotoluene (TNT)-induced cataract in Danish arms factory workers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of cataract in workers exposed to trinitrotoluene (TNT) to the prevalence in a group of unexposed workers, matched on age and sex, using Tiukina's description and grading of TNT-induced cataract.


METHODS
A total of 23 TNT-exposed and 44 unexposed workers underwent an eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist who did not know the exposure status of the subjects. All lens opacities matching Tiukina's description were classified as TNT cataract and graded on Tiukina's scale of stages 1-4.


RESULTS
Four cases of TNT-induced cataract were identified among the 23 TNT-exposed workers and none in the unexposed group (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to TNT may cause a unique type of cataract, which a general ophthalmologist, using Tiukina's description and grading scale, will be able to distinguish from other cataracts.
Kruse
Anders
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg Hospital, Hobrovej 18-22, PO Box 365, DK-9100 Aalborg, Denmark. lakruse@tdcadsl.dk
Hertel
Mette
M
Hindsholm
Marianne
M
Viskum
Sven
S
D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014303:Trinitrotoluene