[Effect of vinyl chloride and its polymers on the nervous system]

The study was undertaken for assessment of the effect of vinyl chloride and is polymers on the nervous system. A group of 200 patients working in the production of VC were studies. The group comprised 155 men and 45 women aged 19-46 years (mean 40). The duration of employment was over 5 years in most workers (85.5%), and 26% worked over 20 years (mean duration 14 years). On the basis of neurological examinations clinical groups were isolated: without neurological changes (58 workers), with symptoms (54), with organic signs (88). The studied groups were not different with respect to age. The shortest duration of employment was in workers without neurological abnormalities. In the complex of symptoms tension headaches, irritability and sleep disturbances prevailed. Organic signs manifested themselves most frequently with pyramidal abnormalities (52), cerebellar (40), sensory trigeminal nerve involvement (24) and pyramidal-cerebellar syndromes (26). In the group of workers with evidence of organic nervous system lesions significantly more frequently a history of acute poisonings, Raynaud's syndrome and hepatic involvement were found. The neurotic symptoms with minor pyramidal-cerebellar signs and sensory trigeminal neuropathy may be related aetiologically to the toxic effect of vinyl chloride.