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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2282/717
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| Title: | Examination of nervous system effects and other health effects in tunnel workers exposed to acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide in Romeriksporten, Norway |
| Authors: | Kjuus, Helge
Goffeng, Lars Ole
Heier, Mona Skard
Øvrebø, Steinar
Skaug, Vidar
Ryberg, David
Sjöholm, Hans
Hansteen, Inger-Lise
Törnqvist, Margretha
Paulsson, Birgit
Langeland, Bjørn T.
Brudal, Stein
Foss, Ørn Terje |
| Issue Date: | 2002 |
| Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: This study examined nervous system effects and other health effects in tunnel
workers exposed to acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide during tunnel work.
METHODS: Symptoms and nerve conduction properties were recorded in 25 tunnel workers
exposed to acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide during grouting operations, four and 16
months after the cessation of exposure. Visual evoked response (VEP) and electroretinography
(ERG) were performed 16 months post exposure. Hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide were
measured and qualitative exposure indices were developed. Fifty unexposed tunnel workers
served as referents. Chromosome aberrations and the distribution of Glutathion S transferase
(GST) genotypes (M and T) were also examined in the 25 exposed workers, and were
compared to 25 age and smoking matched referents.
RESULTS: The exposed workers reported an increased prevalence of symptoms during grouting
work compared to the examination after 16 months. A statistically significant reduction in
mean sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the ulnar nerve was observed 4 months post
exposure when compared to the reference group (52.3 vs. 58.9 m/s, p=0.001), and mean ulnar
distal delay was prolonged (3.1 vs 2.5ms, p=0.001). Both measures were significantly
improved when measured one year later. By correlating outcome measurements with the
qualitative exposure indices of the individual workers, exposure-related improvements from
four to 16 months post exposure were observed both in the median nerve (motor and sensory
NCV and F-response) and the ulnar nerve (sensory NCV, F-response). A significant reversible
reduction in the mean sensory amplitude in the median nerve was also observed, while sensory
amplitudes in the sural nerve were significantly reduced after 16 months. The amplitudes in the
electroretinography on photoptic (30 Hz) stimulation were significantly lower in the exposed
subjects compared to the referents. There were no clear differences in the neurophysiological
outcome parameters related to GST genotypes M and T. Chromosome examinations showed
no significant differences between the 25 exposed subjects and 25 of the referents for
chromosome aberrations, chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and chromosome gaps. A
significant increase in chromatid gaps was observed in the exposed subjects, but no exposureresponse
relationship could be found. Subjects with GSTM1-/GSTT1 genotype had slightly
higher frequencies of all effect parameters compared to referents with the same genotype.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate slight effects on the peripheral nervous system in tunnel workers
related to exposure to N-methylolacrylamide and acrylamide during grouting operations. Apart from a
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possible delayed axonal effect on sensory fibres in the sural nerve, the effects seemed largely to have
been reversible, with normalisation 16 months post exposure. A possible slight change in the ERG
suggests subclinical effects on photoreceptors (cones) in the central part of the retina. The pattern of
the chromosome results may indicate a possible slight genotoxic effect. |
| Keywords: | Akrylamid
N-methylolakrylamid
Injeksjonsmidler
Nerveledning
Perifere nervesystem
Reversibilitet
Symptomer
Tunnelarbeidere
Hemoglobin addukter
Kromosomskader
Glutathion-S-transferase
Acrylamide
N-methylolacrylamide
Grouting agent
Nerve conduction
Peripheral nervous system
Reversibility
Symptoms
Tunnel workers
Hemoglobin adducts
Chromosmal aberrations
Glutathion-S-transferase |
| Publisher: | Statens arneidsmiljøinstitutt |
| Document type: | Report |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2282/717 |
| Appears in Collections: | Yrkesmedisin
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