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Peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to nitromethane †
Author(s) -
Page Elena H.,
Pajeau Aurora K.,
Arnold Thomas C.,
Fincher Allene R.,
Goddard Mark J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.1077
Subject(s) - nitromethane , medicine , peripheral neuropathy , etiology , dermatology , occupational exposure , anesthesia , surgery , endocrinology , emergency medicine , chemistry , organic chemistry , diabetes mellitus
Abstract Background Two workers from a headlight subassembly plant developed severe peripheral neuropathy. These workers had extensive, but brief (1–2 months) dermal and inhalational exposure to nitromethane, a solvent. Methods Environmental sampling was performed for nitromethane and ethyl cyanoacrylate. Medical records, including electrodiagnostic studies, were reviewed. Literature on nitromethane, ethyl cyanoacrylate, and other exposures in the workplace was reviewed. Results Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on these patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation. Environmental sampling revealed exposure to nitromethane at the threshold limit value. Conclusions The history of acute onset of severe peripheral neuropathy temporally associated with exposure to nitromethane is suggestive of a toxic neuropathy. While it cannot be definitively concluded that these two workers developed peripheral neuropathy secondary to exposures at work, occupational exposure to nitromethane appears to be the most likely etiology. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:107–113, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.