Cortical atrophy detected by computed tomography in gasoline station attendants

To evaluate the contribution of leaded gasoline in the presence of abnormal calcifications or cortical atrophy seen in computed tomographies (CT) of the head of occupationally exposed professionals working in the centre of Athens.

One hundred and twenty-two head CTs from gas station employees and traffic-exposed professionals (taxi and bus drivers) were analyzed for evidence of cortical atrophy or abnormal calcifications. Blood lead level (BLL) of these lead occupationally exposed groups was compared with 37 non-exposed subjects.

All three occupationally exposed-to-lead groups had similar blood lead levels compared to the non-exposed group and within the currently accepted norms for lead. No abnormal calcifications were found. Cortical atrophy was more frequently seen in the gas station employees group using univariate and multivariate analysis. In the logistic regression model gas station employment had a stronger impact in developing cortical atrophy [odds ratio of 6.43 (1.46-28.3, 95% CI)] than BLL [odds ratio of 1.4 (1.01-2.05, 95% CI)].

These results show that employment in gasoline stations may be associated with detectable cortical atrophy in imaging studies and suggest the contribution of a leaded gasoline to its development.