Neurophysiological studies on workers exposed to lead. 1985

J Jeyaratnam, and G Devathasan, and C N Ong, and W O Phoon, and P K Wong

Nerve conduction and somatosensory evoked potential studies were undertaken on 46 workers exposed to a combination of organic and inorganic lead. In addition electroencephalograms were carried out on 20 of the workers; the results were compared with those obtained for workers not exposed to lead. The workers exposed to lead had a mean blood lead concentration of 2.35 mumol/l (48.7 micrograms/100 ml), whereas the concentration for workers not exposed to lead was 0.76 mumol/l (15.8 micrograms/100 ml). The mean maximum motor conduction velocities of the median and the posterior tibial nerves were significantly lower in the workers exposed to lead than in the controls. Similarly, the distal latency for these two nerves was significantly prolonged for the workers exposed to lead. No significant differences for the two groups of workers were seen in the nerve conduction and distal latency measurements of the median (sensory) and the sural nerves. The EEG studies of the 20 workers exposed to lead showed no abnormalities. The somatosensory evoked potential of the median (sensory) and posterior tibial nerves were significantly prolonged when measured at the negative and positive deflections. The results suggest that, in addition to nerve conduction velocities, somatosensory evoked potential and distal latency are suitable measurements to detect subclinical neurological damage among workers exposed to lead. As these changes were seen at blood lead concentrations of 2.35 mumol/l (48.7 micrograms/100 ml) there may be a need for more stringent monitoring of workers exposed to lead.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007854 Lead A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D007855 Lead Poisoning Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of LEAD or lead compounds. Poisoning, Lead,Lead Poisonings,Poisonings, Lead
D009431 Neural Conduction The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus. Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010525 Peripheral Nerves The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the autonomic, cranial, and spinal nerves. Peripheral nerves contain non-neuronal cells and connective tissue as well as axons. The connective tissue layers include, from the outside to the inside, the epineurium, the perineurium, and the endoneurium. Endoneurium,Epineurium,Perineurium,Endoneuriums,Epineuriums,Nerve, Peripheral,Nerves, Peripheral,Perineuriums,Peripheral Nerve
D004569 Electroencephalography Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain. EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D005073 Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by stimulation along AFFERENT PATHWAYS from PERIPHERAL NERVES to CEREBRUM. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Potential, Somatosensory,Somatosensory Evoked Potential
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012846 Singapore Country of islands in Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia. The capital is Singapore.
D013979 Tibial Nerve The medial terminal branch of the sciatic nerve. The tibial nerve fibers originate in lumbar and sacral spinal segments (L4 to S2). They supply motor and sensory innervation to parts of the calf and foot. Medial Plantar Nerve,Posterior Tibial Nerve,Medial Plantar Nerves,Nerve, Medial Plantar,Nerve, Posterior Tibial,Nerve, Tibial,Nerves, Medial Plantar,Nerves, Posterior Tibial,Nerves, Tibial,Plantar Nerve, Medial,Plantar Nerves, Medial,Posterior Tibial Nerves,Tibial Nerve, Posterior,Tibial Nerves,Tibial Nerves, Posterior

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