Electroencephalographic studies in workers exposed to solvents or pesticides

The qEEG was studied in groups of young and old workers exposed to solvents (house and industrial painters) and in a group of workers exposed to pesticides. Three methods were used: a quantified visual scoring system, the neurometrics method and a multivariate analysis of mean frequencies. Using the visual assessment as well as the neurometrics method, the older painters showed more abnormalities than the younger painters and the pesticide exposed workers. The "profile" of abnormalities differed in all 3 groups. Changes of the mean spectral frequencies were mainly found in the subjects exposed to pesticides. In this study we concluded that the neurometrics method can be useful in neurotoxicological studies. With this technique minor changes in electrocortical function can be detected in seemingly normal workers. However, frequency parameters should be added to the power measures which are usually studied.