Peripheral nerve conduction velocity in workers occupationally exposed to lead

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health Vol. 11; pp. 26 - 28
• Main Authors: Zi-qiang, Chen, Qi-ing, Chan, Chin-chin, Par, Jia-ying, Qu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Board of Occupational Safety and Health 01.01.1985; The Working Environment Fund; Swedish Medical Society, Section for Environmental Health; Work Research Institutes; Institute of Occupational Health
• Subjects: Conduction; Lead; Lead poisoning; Median nerve; Motor ability; Nerves; Peripheral nerves; Protoporphyrins; Toxicity; Ulnar nerve
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X

The peripheral nerve conduction velocity between the wrist and elbow of the right upper limb and the relationship between this parameter and biochemical parameters for workers occupationally exposed to lead were studied. The results showed that nerve conduction velocity could be altered by lead exposure. The nerve conduction velocity was decreased when the exposure level was 0.0652 mg/mμ³ a negative correlation between the nerve conduction velocity and the length of exposure. A decrease in the nerve conduction velocity was noted after less than three years of exposure to lead. There was a close relationship between the nerve conduction velocity and the level of lead in the blood; the nerve conduction velocity decreased proportionally with increasing blood lead levels. The blood lead level associated with a change in the nerve conduction velocity was < 40 /μg/100 ml (< 1.9 /μmol/l). No correlation between the nerve conduction velocity and the amount of metabolites of porphyrin was found. The measurement of nerve conduction velocity can be used as one of the sensitive criteria for the early detection of the toxic effects of lead.