Carbon disulfide exposure and neurotoxic sequelae among viscose rayon workers

Abstract

In Norway's only viscose rayon plant, carbon disulfide (CS2) concentrations in ambient air usually were between 30 and 50 mg/m3 during the first 23 years of production. From 1970/1971 until the factory was closed in 1982, corresponding values were 10-25 mg/m3. Through all of these years, high peak exposures of CS2 and H2S occurred. In 1986, 16 of the 24 men still at work in 1982 and with at least 10 years' experience in the spinning room agreed to participate in this study. Clinical neurological examination demonstrated abnormalities in 15; neuropsychological tests showed impairments of probable organic origin in 14. Thirteen had cerebral atrophy demonstrated by cerebral computed tomography (CT). Electromyography (EMG) was abnormal in six, neurography in 11. Regional cerebral blood flow measurements indicated flow asymmetries in eight, whereas Doppler investigation of the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries, electroencephalography (EEG), and evoked response investigations were mostly normal. Based on these results and the exposure data, a diagnosis of CS2-induced encephalopathy was reached in eight workers; another six had an encephalopathy in which CS2 exposure was regarded as a partial cause. Correspondingly, seven had a neuropathy probably caused by CS2 exposure alone; in three others, CS2 was found to be the partial cause of a neuropathy. This indicates that long-term, relatively moderate exposure to CS2 in association with high peak exposures to CS2 and H2S involves a substantial risk of developing neurotoxic disease.

Neuropsychiatric Effects in Workers with Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide

“…An investigation in a viscose rayon plant in Norway, where concentrations of CS 2 were below 30 mg/ m 3 but with peak exposures of CS 2 , showed that 4 yr after the cessation of exposure in 14 out of 16 workers toxic encephalopathy was diagnosed 17) . Most frequent symptoms were memory impairment, irritability, tiredness, and sleep disorders.…”

Validity and Cost-Effectiveness of Diagnostic Procedures in CS2 Poisoning.

“…Karai et al 6) concluded that microaneurysm and pigmentary epithelium atrophy or degeneration is early signs of chronic CS 2 exposure, revealing a consistent dose-response relationship with the duration of CS 2 exposure within the same age strata. Vascular effects of CS 2 , particularly vascular encephalopathy has been described by Italian and Japanese researchers [7][8][9] . The brain MRI positive for vascular encephalopathy showed a strong correlation with CS 2 exposure.…”

“…The information to be collected was determined by a series of working group meetings based on published references [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and the pilot study on the study subjects. The major area or mean of the data collection consisted of three parts: 1) Interview of all subjects to collect relevant information such as CS 2 exposure, past medical history including drug use, presence of 45 selected symptoms within the last month, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and others.…”

Réponse analytique à une intoxication par substances volatiles

“…(52)(53)(54)(55)(56). Enfin, un grand nombre de processus industriels mettent enjeu l'hydrogène sulfuré, soit comme matière première (57), soit comme produit secondaire ou déchet de fabrication (52,(58)(59)(60)(60)(61). Le dosage des ions sulfures est généralement réalisé par ionométrie (60).…”