Effects of heavy metals exposure on hand function performance

ABSTRACT

The neuromuscular system is one of the most important systems of the body affected by heavy metals exposure. In order to assess its dysfunction, hand function performance using hand grip and pinch test were carried out to two groups of workers exposed to inorganic lead and inorganic mercury separately. It was found that both heavy metals exposed workers showed a weak hand grip and pinch test results when compared to their controls. Also a negative significant association was found between the level of lead in blood or mercury in urine with the power of small muscles of the hand and long flexor muscles. The duration of employment was found to play an important role in the weakness of the muscles of the hand specially if it exceeds 15 years. We recommend the use of this simple non invasive technique periodically to assess the integrity of the neuromuscular system in such exposed workers