Effects of occupational exposure to mercury and lead on brainstem auditory evoked potentials

Discalzi, G; Fabbro, Donatella; Meliga, Fabrizio; A, Mocellini; Capellaro, F

doi:10.1016/0167-8760(93)90080-9

Cited by 43 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The estimated effects were larger than the sums of the individual effects [noise-only (4 times) and solvent-only (5 times)] [45]. To our knowledge, this is the first epidemiologic study to evaluate effect modifications by heavy metals on the association between noise and hearing outcomes in the workplace, although there is existing evidence for a main effect of heavy metals on hearing outcomes [4], [28], [46]. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying the observed effect modifications by heavy metals and organic solvents remain unclear.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Choi

Kim

2014

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundNoise exposure is a well-known contributor to work-related hearing loss. Recent biological evidence suggests that exposure to ototoxic chemicals such as organic solvents and heavy metals may be additional contributors to hearing loss. However, in industrial settings, it is difficult to determine the risks of hearing loss due to these chemicals in workplaces accompanied by excessive noise exposure. A few studies suggest that the effect of noise may be enhanced by ototoxic chemicals. Therefore, this study investigated whether co-exposure to organic solvents and/or heavy metals in the workplace modifies the risk of noise exposure on hearing loss in a background of excessive noise.MethodsWe examined 30,072 workers nationwide in a wide range of industries from the Korea National Occupational Health Surveillance 2009. Data on industry-based exposure (e.g., occupational noise, heavy metals, and organic solvents) and subject-specific health outcomes (e.g., audiometric examination) were collected. Noise was measured as the daily 8-h time-weighted average level. Air conduction hearing thresholds were measured from 0.5 to 6 kHz, and pure-tone averages (PTA) (i.e., means of 2, 3, and 4 kHz) were computed.ResultsIn the multivariate linear model, PTA increment with occupational noise were 1.64-fold and 2.15-fold higher in individuals exposed to heavy metals and organic solvents than in unexposed individuals, respectively.ConclusionThis study provides nationwide evidence that co-exposure to heavy metals and/or organic solvents may exacerbate the effect of noise exposure on hearing loss in workplaces. These findings suggest that workers in industries dealing with heavy metals or organic solvents are susceptible to such risks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Choi

Kim

2014

PLoS ONE

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“…5 [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] No unanimity has, however, been reached, on the lowest exposures at which such effects are found.22 24 PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Abnormalities in the peripheral nervous system have been described even in neurologically asymptomatic workers whose B-Pb concentration never exceeded 3.4 gmol/l,2 lo The most common finding was slowing of the conduction velocity of the median and ulnar nerve, although considerably fewer abnormalities were found in the nerves of the legs. A correlation of several conduction velocities of the arms with time weighted mean lead concentration was found."…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of low level exposure to lead on neurophysiological functions among lead battery workers.

et al. 1997

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Objectives-Assessment of neurophysiological functions in workers with low level exposure to lead and evaluation of the efficacy ofbone lead measurements in the prediction of effects of lead. Methods-Exposure to lead of 60 workers from a lead battery factory was estimated from historical blood lead measurements and analysis oflead in the tibial and calcaneal bones with x ray fluorescence. Peripheral and central nervous system functions were assessed by measuring conduction velocities, sensory distal latencies, sensory amplitudes, and vibration thresholds as well as by quantitative measurement of the absolute and relative powers and mean frequencies of different electroencephalograph (EEG) channels. Results-Sensory amplitudes, and to a smaller degree sensory or motor conduction velocities, showed a negative correlation with long term exposure to lead, most clearly with integrated blood lead concentration and exposure time. Vibration thresholds measured in the arm were related to recent exposure to lead, those measured in the leg to long term exposure. The alpha and beta activities of the EEG were more abundant in subjects with higher long term exposure to lead.

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“…[130][131][132][133][134] Similarly, mercury compounds were shown to induce hearing-damaging effects both in laboratory animals (methyl mercury chloride and mercuric sulfide) and humans. [135][136][137][138] A few studies did not confirm the effect of these metals on hearing, 139,140 but, given the current evidence from human studies, lead and mercury do appear to be ototoxic.…”

Section: Asphyxiantsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Chemical exposure and hearing loss

Campo¹,

Morata²,

Hong³

2013

Disease-a-Month

122

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Effects of occupational exposure to mercury and lead on brainstem auditory evoked potentials

Cited by 43 publications

References 14 publications

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Korean Workers: Co-Exposure to Organic Solvents and Heavy Metals in Nationwide Industries

Effects of low level exposure to lead on neurophysiological functions among lead battery workers.

Chemical exposure and hearing loss

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