A cross-sectional study on nerve conduction velocities among workers exposed to carbon disulphide

We examined nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) in the ulnar nerve (motor, slower motor fiber and mixed), the peroneal nerve (motor, MCV) and the sural nerve (sensory, SCV) among 46 Japanese workers exposed to carbon disulphide (CS2, CS2-exposed group) and 28 normal control workers (group C). The subjects had not suffered from diseases or injuries of the peripheral or central nervous system. MCV in the peroneal nerve and SCV in the sural sural nerve in the CS2-exposed group were significantly reduced compared with those of group C (p < 0.05 in both), but no significant difference in NCVs of the ulnar nerve was noted between the two groups. In the two subgroups of the CS2 exposed group (currently exposed: group E n = 24; removed from exposure: group R n = 22), NCVs of group E tended to be lower than those of group R in spite of the younger age of group E. MCV in the peroneal nerve and SCV in the sural nerve in group E were significantly reduced compared with those in group C, but not significantly in group R. These findings indicate the existence of a toxic effect of CS2 exposure on the NCV, predominantly evident in the lower limbs in those workers. On removal from CS2 exposure, NCV recovery seemed to be possible.