Acute behavioral effects of exposure to some organic solvents -psychophysiological aspects. 1982

G Winneke

Acute low-level exposure to organic solvent vapours may result in prenarcotic states of CNS-depression, often characterized by behavioral dysfunction. Behavioral findings from experimental acute human exposures to toluene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and methylene chloride (MC) are covered in this review. Perceptual measures (e.g. critical flicker fusion = CFF), measures of sustained attention (vigilance), measures of psychomotor performance (as e.g. reaction time, motor speed, coordination) as well as EEG-measures (sensory evoked potentials) are used to illustrate the main effects from such studies. Progressive increase of reaction time was observed at toluene-exposures of only 300 ppm (30 minutes). No consistent behavioral deficit has been reported for trichloroethylene below 300 ppm; instead, visual and auditory evoked potentials were found to be affected at TCE vapour-concentrations between 50 and 100 ppm (3 1/2 - 7 1/2 hours of exposure). CFF-depression, vigilance-decrement and disruption of psychomotor performance has been observed during MC-exposure (200 - 800 ppm; 2-4 hours). Although such behavioral effects are usually considered reversible and of no demonstrated pathological impact, they may nevertheless contribute to accident-prone behavior in occupational settings.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008752 Methylene Chloride A chlorinated hydrocarbon that has been used as an inhalation anesthetic and acts as a narcotic in high concentrations. Its primary use is as a solvent in manufacturing and food technology. Dichloromethane,Methylene Bichloride,Methylene Dichloride,Solaesthin,Bichloride, Methylene,Chloride, Methylene,Dichloride, Methylene
D011603 Psychophysiology The study of the physiological basis of human and animal behavior. Mind-Body Relations (Physiology),Psychology, Physiological,Mind-Body Relationship (Physiology),Physiologic Psychology,Physiological Psychology,Psychology, Physiologic,Mind Body Relations (Physiology),Mind Body Relationship (Physiology),Mind-Body Relation (Physiology),Mind-Body Relationships (Physiology),Physiologic Psychologies,Psychologies, Physiologic,Relation, Mind-Body (Physiology),Relations, Mind-Body (Physiology),Relationship, Mind-Body (Physiology),Relationships, Mind-Body (Physiology)
D004781 Environmental Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals. Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001519 Behavior The observable response of a man or animal to a situation. Acceptance Process,Acceptance Processes,Behaviors,Process, Acceptance,Processes, Acceptance
D012997 Solvents Liquids that dissolve other substances (solutes), generally solids, without any change in chemical composition, as, water containing sugar. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Solvent
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D014050 Toluene A widely used industrial solvent.
D014241 Trichloroethylene A highly volatile inhalation anesthetic used mainly in short surgical procedures where light anesthesia with good analgesia is required. It is also used as an industrial solvent. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the vapor can lead to cardiotoxicity and neurological impairment. Ethinyl Trichloride,Trichloroethene,Trielina,Trilene,Trichloride, Ethinyl

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