title: [Early effects of PCE exposure on visual function among dry cleaning workers].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of studies have shown a possible correlation between exposure to perchlorethylene (PCE) in dry cleaning workers and impairment of colour perception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to ascertain the possible presence of alterations in visual function in a group of workers exposed to current limit value levels of PCE.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 38 workers exposed to PCE in 21 dry cleaning establishments in the district of Modena and 60 controls selected according to criteria of comparability. We measured exposure to PCE among the dry cleaning workers using environmental monitoring (mean exposure 16.9 mg/m3). Both groups then answered a medical history questionnaire and underwent the Ishihara test for evaluating exclusion criteria followed by Lanthony D15d and Visual Acuity in Contrast Reduced (VCS) tests to evaluate changes in visual function. The results of Lanthony's test were expressed using Index Confusion Chromatic (ICC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the cases the average value of ICC was 1.28 (DS 0.21) and in the controls 1.15 (SD 0.21); the difference was statistically significant (p &lt;0.01). The values of ICC tended to be worse in subjects engaged only in the washing phase, who also had higher levels of exposure to PCE (mean exposure 26.8 mg/m3). The values of VCS for each frequency did not show, however, significant differences between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On this basis, our data indicate that occupational exposure to PCE well below the current limit values may still be able to induce impairment of colour perception and that such levels are therefore not adequately protective, at least against these effects.
authors.affiliation: Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia. andreachiesi.dott@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiesi
authors.forename: Tiziana Concetta
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modenese
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abbacchini
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borsari
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clò
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Rico
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Fabrizio Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gobba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007846:Laundering; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene