Battery of Neurobehavioral Tests Recommended to Atsdr: Solvent-Induced Deficits in Microelectronic Workers

Hk, Hudnell; Wk, Boyes; Da, Otto; De, House; Jp, Creason; Am, Geller; Dj, Darcey; Dk, Broadwell

doi:10.1177/074823379601200211

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…We assessed visual function using tests of near acuity, near visual contrast sensitivity (VCS; a sensitive indicator of neurologic function), and color discrimination. Visual acuity did not differ between groups, but VCS scores from both the apartment residents and the day care workers were depressed across the spatial frequency spectrum, similar to results obtained in other solvent exposure studies ( Broadwell et al 1995 ; Campagna et al 1995 ; Castillo et al 2001 ; Donoghue et al 1995 ; Frenette et al 1991 ; Hudnell et al 1996a ; Mergler 1995 ; Mergler et al 1991 ). We concluded that…”

supporting

confidence: 85%

Residential Tetrachloroethylene Exposure: Response

Hudnell¹,

Schreiber

2004

Environ Health Perspect

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supporting

confidence: 85%

Residential Tetrachloroethylene Exposure: Response

Hudnell¹,

Schreiber

2004

Environ Health Perspect

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“…Third, exposure to TPC neurotoxins in the estuaries could have caused the deficit in visual function. If the VCS deficit is attributable to contact with TPCinduced fish kills, the lack of recent exposure (Swinker et al, 2000) suggests that the effect is permanent or long-lasting, as previously seen with solventinduced VCS deficits Bowler et al, 1991;Frenette et al, 1991;Broadwell et al, 1995;Hudnell et al, 1996aHudnell et al, , 1996c. In this case, VCS may be a useful indicator for assisting in the diagnosis of both new and persistent cases of PEAS and in monitoring recovery (Shoemaker, 1998;Shoemaker & Hudnell, 2001).…”

Section: Conclusion and Possible Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…However, the shape of the VCS spatial-frequency profile can help to identify, or eliminate, some potential causative factors since effects may be limited primarily to the low-or high-frequency portions of the spectrum (Hudnell et al, 1996a). Group-averaged VCS profiles of solvent-exposed populations show a maximal loss at the middle spatial frequency with relatively little loss at both extremes of the continuum (Hudnell et al, 1996a(Hudnell et al, , 1996cMergler, 1995;Schreiber et al, 1998), similar to that seen in the estuary cohort. Therefore, questionnaire data from the estuary and offshore cohort participants were assessed for occupational exposures to potential neurotoxicants, including solvents.…”

Section: Confirmatory Analysesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Similar results were seen in analyses of the restricted group's data. Since the VCS difference between cohorts was primarily due to reduced sensitivity at the middle spatial frequencies, as seen in solventexposed groups Bowler et al, 1991;Frenette et al, 1991;Broadwell et al, 1995;Hudnell et al, 1996aHudnell et al, , 1996c, the exposure questionnaire data were examined to determine if the cohorts differed in occupational exposures to solvents or other potential neurotoxicants. Subjects reported the number of years that they had worked on the water and whether or not they had occupational exposure more than once a week to 582 H. K. HUDNELL ET AL.…”

Section: Analyses Of Group Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human Visual Function in the North Carolina Clinical Studyon Possible Estuary-Associated Syndrome

Hudnell

House

Schmid

et al. 2001

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assisted the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in conducting a study to investigate the potential for an association between fish kills in the North Carolina estuary system and the risk for persistent health effects. Impetus for the study was recent evidence suggesting that estuarine dinoflagellates, including members of the toxic Pfiesteria complex (TPC), P. piscicida and P. schumwayae, may release a toxin(s) that kills fish and adversely affects human health. This report describes one component of the study in which visual system function was assessed. Participants working primarily in estuaries inhabited by TPC or in off-shore waters thought not to contain TPC were studied. The potentially exposed estuary (n = 22) and unexposed offshore (n = 20) workers were matched for age, gender, and education. Visual acuity did not differ significantly between the cohorts, but visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), an indicator of visual pattern-detection ability for stimuli of various sizes, was significantly reduced by about 30% in the estuary relative to the offshore cohort. A further analysis that excluded participants having a history possibly predictive of neuropsychological impairment showed a similar VCS reduction. Additional analyses indicated that differences between the cohorts in age, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and total time spent on any water did not account for the difference in VCS. Exploratory analyses suggested a possible association between the magnitude of VCS reduction and hours spent in contact with a fish kill. The profile of VCS deficit across stimulus sizes resembled that seen in organic solvent-exposed workers, but an assessment of occupational solvent, and other neurotoxicant, exposures did not indicate differences between the cohorts. These results suggest that factor(s) associated with the North Carolina estuaries, including the possibility of exposure to TPC toxin(s), may impair visual system function.

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“…Subclinical visual impairments may be sensitive indicators of insults to the central nervous system from exposure to neurotoxicants (Gobba 2000). Decrements in contrast sensitivity have been observed in workers exposed to mixed solvents and in residents of buildings with PCE dry cleaners (Broadwell et al 1995; Donoghue et al 1995; Frenette et al 1991; Hudnell et al 1996; Schreiber et al 2002), as have decrements in color discrimination (Campagna et al 1995, 1996; Castillo et al 2001; Cavalleri et al 2000; Fallas et al 1992; Gobba 2000; Gobba et al 1991; Mergler et al 1991; Raitta et al 1978; Zavalic et al 1998a, 1998b, 1998c). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prenatal and Early Childhood Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene and Adult Vision

Getz

Janulewicz

Rowe

et al. 2012

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: Tetrachloroethylene (PCE; or perchloroethylene) has been implicated in visual impairments among adults with occupational and environmental exposures as well as children born to women with occupational exposure during pregnancy.Objectives: Using a population-based retrospective cohort study, we examined the association between prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and deficits in adult color vision and contrast sensitivity.Methods: We estimated the amount of PCE that was delivered to the family residence from participants’ gestation through 5 years of age. We administered to this now adult study population vision tests to assess acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color discrimination.Results: Participants exposed to higher PCE levels exhibited lower contrast sensitivity at intermediate and high spatial frequencies compared with unexposed participants, although the differences were generally not statistically significant. Exposed participants also exhibited poorer color discrimination than unexposed participants. The difference in mean color confusion indices (CCI) was statistically significant for the Farnsworth test but not Lanthony’s D-15d test [Farnsworth CCI mean difference = 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.003, 0.10; Lanthony CCI mean difference = 0.07, 95% CI: –0.02, 0.15].Conclusions: Prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water may be associated with long-term subclinical visual dysfunction in adulthood, particularly with respect to color discrimination. Further investigation of this association in similarly exposed populations is necessary.

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Battery of Neurobehavioral Tests Recommended to Atsdr: Solvent-Induced Deficits in Microelectronic Workers

Cited by 14 publications

References 1 publication

Residential Tetrachloroethylene Exposure: Response

Residential Tetrachloroethylene Exposure: Response

Human Visual Function in the North Carolina Clinical Studyon Possible Estuary-Associated Syndrome

Prenatal and Early Childhood Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene and Adult Vision

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