Effects of occupational exposure to toluene: a neuropsychological study on workers in Singapore

The neuropsychological functionings of workers (n = 29) occupationally exposed to low level of toluene (mean blood toluene level 1.25 ug/ml, standard deviation [SD] 0.37 ug/ml) were assessed by a test battery based on the recommendation of US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The data revealed that the exposed workers performed poorer than a control group (mean blood toluene level 0.16 ug/ml, SD 0.06 ug/ml) in short-term memory, sustained attention and concentration, visual scanning, perceptual-motor speed, and finger dexterity. Results of the study confirmed that exposure to toluene may result in different degree of impairments of brain functions.