Subjective symptoms and psychological performance of chlorine-alkali workers

Scand J Work Environ Health. 1989 Feb;15(1):69-74. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1880.

Abstract

Subjective symptoms and psychological performances on a computer-administered test battery were studied among a group of 60 chlorine-alkali workers and their matched referents. The exposure time of the group exposed to inorganic mercury vapor had been about 14 years, and the estimated long-term average exposure had been about 25 micrograms/m3 of air. The exposed workers had an actual mercury concentration of 51.9 (SD 25.0, range 15-150) nmol/l in blood and 84.1 (SD 56.6, range 15-260) nmol/l in urine. Neither perceptual motor nor memory nor learning abilities of the mercury-exposed workers showed any disturbances in a comparison with the referents. However, the exposed group reported statistically significantly more memory disturbances than the referents. Strain caused by three-shift work was a possible cofactor for other increased subjective symptoms, namely, for sleep disorders, fatigue, and confusion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Alkalies*
  • Chlorine*
  • Humans
  • Mercury Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Mercury Poisoning / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Psychological Tests

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Alkalies
  • Chlorine