Neurological dysfunctions among workers exposed to inorganic lead

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to detect the electroencephalographic [EEG] changes as well as its pattern and to study the relation between motor conduction and presence of EEG changes among workers exposed to inorganic lead. Twenty workers occupationally exposed to inorganic lead and another twenty workers not exposed to lead were chosen as index and control groups respectively. The following investigations were performed for both groups. haemoglobin [Hb], blood lead [BPb], urine delta aminolevulinic acid [ALA], motor nerve conduction velocity [MNCV] and distal latency [DL] of right radial nerve, and EEG. EEG chages were significantly more among exposed group [5 workers, 25%] than control group [0%]. Left temporal discharge was noticed among the five workers and generalized bilateral epileptic activity among only 2 of them. Among exposed group, no significant differences were seen between exposed workers with and those without EEG changes as regards all investigations. There were insignificant correlations between duration of exposure, BPb, urine ALA, MNCV and DL, and presence of EEG changes among exposed workers