[Chronic perchloroethylene poisoning]

The authors describe the clinical features of the chronic perchloroethylene poisoning discussing their own 7 cases (2 women and 5 men). The 2 women worked as dry-cleaner, the 5 men performed degreasing of metal objects. The mean age of the patients was 46 (36-55), the exposure time 9.1 (0.5-30) years. In 3 cases the level of the exposure exceeded the maximum allowable concentration verified by the measurement of the perchloroethylene in the air of the workplace. One patient suffering from a serious cranial nerve lesion was not informed on the toxic exposure, so worked without any protective devices. 3 patients had an isolated lesion of the nervous system, 4 one an isolated hepatic damage. The authors draw attention to importance of the prevention.