[The effect of styrene and tetrachloroethylene on electrical activity of the retina]

Clinical investigations of ERG of 202 workers having a contact, during a process of production, with styrole and tetrachlorethylene vapours and of 50 workers having no such a contact as well as experimental investigations of ERG of isolated retina of a guinea-pig (n = 50) subjected to the action of these substances have shown that the action of styrole and tetrachlorethylene leads to a fall of electric activity of the retina. Functional changes develop both in photoreceptors and neuronal elements of the retina. These changes are directly proportional to the degree of styrole and tetrachlorethylene actions and can serve as an early sign of intoxication of the body.