title: Neurotoxic effect of occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents in Korea: Posturographic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study used static posturography to investigate the neurotoxic effects on workers exposed to mixed organic solvents at low concentrations under the levels of the threshold limit values (TLV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one workers from four plants exposed to mixed solvents and 90 non-exposed referents were examined. The lifetime cumulative biological exposure (CE) was estimated according to subject's occupational history and biological monitoring results. Static posturography and questionnaire were the basis of data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean exposure index of mixed organic solvents of four plants was 0.47 (SD: 0.33, range: 0.08-1.39). The exposed group showed a larger sway area and length under the eye open condition than did the non-exposed group. In a multiple linear regression, a significant positive association was demonstrated between postural sway area and CE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study results suggest that the exposure to organic solvents under TLV levels may cause disturbance in postural stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Woncheon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Beom
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kyung-Jong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Keou-Weon
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang-Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D020711:Threshold Limit Values
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D012997:Solvents