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Abstract

The solvents used in pathology services expose the hospital staff to a neurotoxic risk. Through literature, few studies have explored the neurological and neurotoxicity in the hospital staff laboratories after exposure to a mixture of solvents such as formaldehyde, acetone. Research and evaluate in a population occupationally exposed to a mixture of solvents in pathology hospital laboratories the existence of neurotoxic disorders subclinical. It is a transversal epidemiological study aiming to describe, and which is of an exposedunexposed type conducted among 39 persons exposed to a mixture of solvents and 95 controls belonging to the same hospital, matched on sex and age. All were interrogated by the questionnaire. In addition, we performed their neurobehavioral tests (NBT) and explorations of neuromotor functions (CATSYS 2000). The estimation of occupational exposure has been assessed based on the weekly consumption of each manipulated solvent. Sociodemographic parameters are comparable to the exposed and unexposed. The exposed persons are, on average aged of 36, they have a length of exposure to solvents of 11,8 years, and manipulate on average six liters of solvent per week. Concerning the suction hood, have been found out that it is used among 74.5%, and they all wear gloves not adapted to the use of solvents. The exposed population relates significantly more neurotoxic symptoms (asthenia, irritability, headaches, and concentration) than witnesses. The exposed population is significantly less efficient; Pegboard (40.04 versus 36.70), Finger Tapping (45.54 versus 56.08), are slower (283 ms versus. 252 ms) and have significantly more postural disorders.

Biography

Rabia Medjane has completed her Master in Occupational Medicine at University Hospital and graduation from the Faculty of Medicine of Oran (Algeria). She is currently working as Hospital Assistant at The University Hospital of Oran, Algeria.

Email: medjane31@gmail.com