Three-year follow-up of serial nerve conduction among lead-exposed workers

Effect of Lead Exposure and Ergonomic Stressors on Peripheral Nerve Function

“…More recently, investigators demonstrated that, in the development of lead neuropathy, sensory nerve fibers are affected earlier than motor nerve fibers (Chuang et al 2000; Kovala et al 1997; Rubens et al 2001; Schwartz et al 2001; Singer et al 1983), and nerve conduction studies showed mild slowing of both sensory and motor conduction velocities as well as diminished amplitude of the sensory potential (Araki et al 1986; Ashby 1980; Baker et al 1984; Bordo et al 1982; Buchthal and Behse 1979; Catton et al 1970; Chen et al 1985; Chia et al 1996a, 1996b; Jeyaratnam et al 1985; Kovala et al 1997; Pasternak et al 1989; Rubens et al 2001; Seppäläinen and Hernberg 1980; Seppäläinen et al 1979; Singer et al 1983; Yeh et al 1995). After reviewing the lead neuropathy literature from 1974 to 1984, Ehle (1986) concluded that sensory nerve conduction is more likely to be affected than is motor nerve conduction, that the upper extremities are more likely to be involved than the lower extremities, and that these effects usually occur after a year of lead exposure, with a continuous linear relationship between blood lead and nerve conduction velocity only when blood lead exceeded 70 μg/dL.…”

“…More recently, studies have shown an association between several biomarkers of chronic lead exposure—working lifetime-weighted average blood lead (TWA), working lifetime-integrated blood lead (IBL), and bone lead (PbBn)—and impairment of peripheral nerve function at a time when concurrent PbB was not elevated (Chia et al 1996a; Chuang et al 2000; Kovala et al 1997; Schwartz et al 2001; Triebig et al 1984; Yeh et al 1995). Which of these is the best metric for modeling chronic lead effects on the peripheral nerve remains to be demonstrated.…”

Characterizing Golden Eagle Risk to Lead and Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure: A Review

“…Ehle (1986), in reviewing many of the studies of NCV effects, concluded that a mild slowing of certain motor and sensory NCVs may occur at PbBs <60 μg/dL, but that the majority of studies did not find correlations between PbB and NCV below 70 μg/dL and that slowing of NCV is More recent studies also have produced mixed results. Chia et al (1996a) measured NCV in a group of 72 male workers from a lead battery-manufacturing factory and 82 unexposed referents. Measurements of NCV in the median and ulnar nerves, as well as of PbB were performed every 6 months over a 3-year period.…”

Pollution de l'air par les particules acides à Alger et influence de l'aérosol marin

“…Les altérations observées sont une diminution des vitesses de conduction motrice pré-dominant au niveau des membres supérieurs, surtout des nerfs ulnaire et médian [Seppalainen et Hernberg 1972, Lille et al 1994, Ishida et al 1996, Chia et al 1996, Kovola et al 1997. Ces nerfs sont atteints plus rapidement que les nerfs des membres inférieurs comme le nerf péronier [Seppalainen 1984].…”

“…Cette vitesse est souvent corrélée à la plombémie. Elle ne survient qu'à partir de valeurs de 400 à 600 μg/L chez l'adulte [Chia et al 1996] et de 300 μg/L chez l'enfant [Schwartz et al 1988]. …”