Visual and ocular changes associated with exposure to two tertiary amines.
Occup Environ Med
; 60(1): 69-75, 2003 Jan.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12499461
ABSTRACT
AIMS:
To determine if exposure to dimethylisopropanolamine (DMIPA) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in a label printing plant was associated with visual disturbances and/or ocular changes.METHODS:
Questionnaires, eye examinations (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity at 2.5% and 1.25% contrast, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and pachymetry), and industrial hygiene monitoring for DMIPA and DMAE were performed over a two week period.RESULTS:
Eighty nine per cent of line workers reported having experienced blurry vision while at work in the past 12 months, compared to 12.5% of prime workers. A total of 108 full shift personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples for the amines were collected. The mean time weighted average (TWA) concentration of DMIPA was significantly higher in the line division than in the prime division, as was the mean TWA concentration for total amines. The mean TWA concentration of DMAE was higher in the prime division than the line division. Higher levels of total amines were associated with increased risk of reporting blurry vision, halo vision, and blue-grey vision. The risk of corneal opacity rose with increasing exposure to total amines. The prevalence of corneal opacity also increased with increasing concentration of total amines. Median corneal thickness increased with increasing grades of corneal opacity. There was a statistically significant relation between total amine concentration and increased risk of reduced bilateral visual acuity and 2.5% contrast sensitivity.CONCLUSIONS:
Exposure to tertiary amines was associated with blurry, halo, and blue-grey vision, corneal opacity, and decrements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity at 2.5% contrast.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Visión Ocular
/
Exposición Profesional
/
Opacidad de la Córnea
/
Aminas
/
Enfermedades Profesionales
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Environ Med
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2003
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos