Neurobehavioral changes in Taiwanese lead-exposed workers.
OBJECTIVE
The dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by lead exposure was evaluated.


METHODS
Workers who have been exposed to lead for at least 3 years and have been informed of having elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) were recruited. According to their current BLLs, 33 and 28 males were assigned to the medium (40-80 microg/dL) and low (<40 microg/dL) BLLs groups, respectively. Sixty-two nonexposed healthy men served as the control group. Their neurobehaviors were examined by a computerized evaluation system.


RESULTS
Significantly impaired neurobehavioral functions were shown in the medium BLLs group, which included slow performance of psychomotor tasks, impaired processing of visual-spatial information, reduced memory and learning functions, low performance accuracy, slow execution of responses, and poor attentional control.


CONCLUSIONS
Subtle CNS dysfunction could be detected from lead-exposed workers who have no obvious neurologic and cognitive deficits.
Chen
Shun-Sheng
SS
Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. neuron@ms2.hinet.net
Chen
Tsan-Ju
TJ
Lin
Chuang-Hao
CH
Tseng
Yaw-Tseng
YT
Lai
Shung-Lon
SL
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013624:Taiwan
D007854:Lead