Occupational Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Dry-cleaning Shops in Tehran, Iran

Pirsaraei, Seyed Reza Azimi; Khavanin, Ali; Asilian, Hassan; Soleimanian, Ardalan

doi:10.2486/indhealth.47.155

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Experiment 1 showed that dry cleaners exposed to occupational levels of organic solvents displayed more neurotoxic systems and performed worse in visual tasks that assessed low and higher level visual function. However, it should be noted that the effect of organic solvent exposure is certainly not exclusive to visual processing [ 58 , 59 , 79 , 80 ] but is observed in a number of neural functions. It has been observed that exposure to organic solvents might lead to cognitive impairments, such as deficits in attention, short-term memory, associative learning and psychomotor speed [ 80 , 81 ].…”

Section: Experiments 2: Visual Search Performance In Dry Cleaners and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Organic Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning Reduces Low and High Level Visual Function

2015

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PurposeTo investigate whether exposure to occupational levels of organic solvents in the dry cleaning industry is associated with neurotoxic symptoms and visual deficits in the perception of basic visual features such as luminance contrast and colour, higher level processing of global motion and form (Experiment 1), and cognitive function as measured in a visual search task (Experiment 2).MethodsThe Q16 neurotoxic questionnaire, a commonly used measure of neurotoxicity (by the World Health Organization), was administered to assess the neurotoxic status of a group of 33 dry cleaners exposed to occupational levels of organic solvents (OS) and 35 age-matched non dry-cleaners who had never worked in the dry cleaning industry. In Experiment 1, to assess visual function, contrast sensitivity, colour/hue discrimination (Munsell Hue 100 test), global motion and form thresholds were assessed using computerised psychophysical tests. Sensitivity to global motion or form structure was quantified by varying the pattern coherence of global dot motion (GDM) and Glass pattern (oriented dot pairs) respectively (i.e., the percentage of dots/dot pairs that contribute to the perception of global structure). In Experiment 2, a letter visual-search task was used to measure reaction times (as a function of the number of elements: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 100) in both parallel and serial search conditions.ResultsDry cleaners exposed to organic solvents had significantly higher scores on the Q16 compared to non dry-cleaners indicating that dry cleaners experienced more neurotoxic symptoms on average. The contrast sensitivity function for dry cleaners was significantly lower at all spatial frequencies relative to non dry-cleaners, which is consistent with previous studies. Poorer colour discrimination performance was also noted in dry cleaners than non dry-cleaners, particularly along the blue/yellow axis. In a new finding, we report that global form and motion thresholds for dry cleaners were also significantly higher and almost double than that obtained from non dry-cleaners. However, reaction time performance on both parallel and serial visual search was not different between dry cleaners and non dry-cleaners.ConclusionsExposure to occupational levels of organic solvents is associated with neurotoxicity which is in turn associated with both low level deficits (such as the perception of contrast and discrimination of colour) and high level visual deficits such as the perception of global form and motion, but not visual search performance. The latter finding indicates that the deficits in visual function are unlikely to be due to changes in general cognitive performance.

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Section: Experiments 2: Visual Search Performance In Dry Cleaners and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Organic Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning Reduces Low and High Level Visual Function

2015

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“…[ 2 ] The time‐weighted average (threshold limit value.‐TWA), a short‐term exposure limit (STEL), and biological exposure indices (BEI) limit in end‐exhaled air recommended for this compound by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is 25, 100, and 5 ppm, respectively. [ 9 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The perchloroethylene‐induced toxicity in dry cleaning workers lymphocytes through induction of oxidative stress

Ghahri

Dehghan

Seydi

et al. 2022

J Biochem & Molecular Tox

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Evaluation of the compounds and metabolites, and studying their side effects in the workplace is essential. This study was designed to evaluate the exposure of dry cleaning workers to perchloroethylene (PEC), and its liver and kidney damage, and oxidative stress in B-lymphocytes isolated from the workers. Blood samples were evaluated for liver (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]) and kidney (BUN and creatinine) markers. For measurement of PEC, exhaled, personal, and ambient air samples were collected and analyzed gas chromatography (GC-FID) through the NIOSH 1003 and 3704 methods. Also, the parameters of oxidative stress including the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in B-lymphocytes were evaluated. The results showed that the levels of liver enzymes ALT and AST in dry cleaning workers are higher than in the control group. The personal exposure levels and exhaled air concentration of PEC in dry cleaning workers were above the recommended national occupational exposure limits (OELs) and the biological exposure index (BEI). The levels of ROS, LPO, and GSSG in B-lymphocytes from the dry cleaning workers are higher than the control group, and the levels of GSH in dry cleaning workers are lower. The results suggested that exposure of dry cleaning workers to PEC could be associated with liver damage and oxidative damage in B-lymphocytes.

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“…Short-term inhalation of tetrachloroethylene at very high levels can lead to irritation of the nose and throat and depress the central nervous system. Central nervous system, liver, kidneys, respiratory system, eyes, and skin are targeted organs for PERC toxicity in humans [ 4 ]. The neurobehavioral function of healthy individuals is affected adversely as a result of chronic, environmental exposure to PERC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Study: Environmental Assessment of Perchloroethylene in Dry-Cleaning Facilities in the UAE

Habib

Ahmed

Al-Muhairi

et al. 2018

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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Background Perchloroethylene (PERC) is a widely spread cleaning solvent, used in nearly all dry-cleaning facilities. It has been declared as “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) due to its hazardous and toxic effects on human health. The study aimed at assessing the exposure of PERC among dry-cleaning workers at four different dry-cleaning facilities in the UAE. Methods The four dry-cleaning facilities, using PERC in one of the cities of the UAE, were selected. Draeger perchloroethylene 10/b detector tubes along with a Draeger accuro pump were used to estimate the levels of PERC exposure in three main selected positions in each of the facilities. Results The results showed that the second selected position had the highest amounts of PERC exposure above the international and local standards in 3 out of 4 selected facilities. The workers at position 2, who were not using any of the provided personal protective equipment, were at the highest risk of developing PERC-related health problems. Conclusion It is important to install local exhaust ventilation systems and monitoring devices of PERC concentrations in these facilities, along with raising the awareness of workers about the health effects of PERC and the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing their job.

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Occupational Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Dry-cleaning Shops in Tehran, Iran

Cited by 14 publications

References 19 publications

Exposure to Organic Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning Reduces Low and High Level Visual Function

Exposure to Organic Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning Reduces Low and High Level Visual Function

The perchloroethylene‐induced toxicity in dry cleaning workers lymphocytes through induction of oxidative stress

Preliminary Study: Environmental Assessment of Perchloroethylene in Dry-Cleaning Facilities in the UAE

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