Self-reported symptoms and neuropsychological function among tunnel workers previously exposed to acrylamide and N-methylolacryl­amide

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 136 - 146
• Main Authors: Goffeng, Lars Ole, Alvestrand, Monica, Ulvestad, Bente, Sørensen, Kjell Aage, Skaug, Vidar, Kjuus, Helge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH) 01.03.2011
• Subjects: acrylamide; chemical exposure; cross sectional study; exposure; grouting agent; n-methylolacryl­amide; nervous system; neuropsychological function; neuropsychological testing; occupational health; persisting effect; questionnaire; self-report
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3083

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine possible exposure-related symptoms and neuropsychological changes among tunnel workers previously exposed to grout containing acrylamide and N-methylol­acryl­amide. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 44 male tunnel workers pre­viously expos­ed to acrylamide and N-methylol­acryl­amide during grouting operations were exam­in­ed with neuro­psych­o­logical tests, 2–10 years after last exposure. The control group consisted of 49 male tunnel workers with no history of acrylamide exposure. Questionnaires were used to assess retrospectively recalled symp­toms during work and current symp­toms at the time of the examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of parest­hesia in hands and legs, and leg cramps during work peri­ods were higher in the exposed than control group. Self-reported preval­ence of skin irritat­ion, peeling of skin on the hands, white-finger attacks, headache, and breathlessness was also higher among the exposed workers. The Q-16 ques­tionnaire on current symp­toms indicated higher symptom prevalence among the exposed of impaired me­mory and concen­tration, emot­ion­al change, sleep disturbances, tiredness, headache, and sensory or motor changes. In contrast, no association was found between neuropsychological test results and acrylamide exposure, adjusting for relevant confounders. However, selected motor symptoms were associated with the corresponding results on tests for motor function. CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher prevalences of self-reported current symptoms among the acrylamide-exposed compared to the control group, we did not find an association between occupational acryl­amide exposure and health out­comes as measured by the chosen neuropsychological tests. Observed associations between chemical exposure and self-reported symptoms should be interpreted with great caution.