title: [Effect of heavy metals exposure on neurobehavioral function in welders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationship between heavy metals exposure and neurobehavioral function impairment in welders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The metals exposure in 82 welders and 51 operators were investigated with blood Pb, Cd and Mn via AAS, and the nervous impairment was evaluated with neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pb [(115.49 +/- 79.22) microg/L] and Cd [(3.67 +/- 3.19) microg/L] in welders were significantly higher than operators [(69.32 +/- 50.79) and (0.83 +/- 0.76) microg/L respectively] (P < 0.05). Welders had worse standard scores of NCTB 13 items such as depression-dejection than non-welders (P < 0.05). Significant difference of confusion-bewilderment and forward digit span in welders only existed in different groups of Pb and Mn, respectively. A dose-effect relationship was found between forward digit span and serum Mn level in welders. General linear regression analysis indicated that Pb exposure, Mn exposure and alcohol consume had negative relation with the loss of nervous system function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nervous impairment in welders is attributed to occupational exposure to Pb and Mn, concomitantly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Pollution and Health, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China.
authors.forename: Xian-Liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yong-Jian
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ming-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Zhan-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Xiu-Ge
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Jin-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D019216:Metals, Heavy