Evaluación psicológica en trabajadores expuestos a tolueno en una empresa mexicana de autopartes
This study provides a methodological approach to the evaluation of the problems posed by toxic substances, specifically toluene, in the workplace, and how these relate to Mexican workers. The methodology was adapted and applied to a group of workers exposed to toluene, in order to detect possible...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
| Published: |
1999
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/oaiart?codigo=6454368 |
| Source: | Salud de los Trabajadores, ISSN 1315-0138, Vol. 7, Nº. 1, 1999, pags. 5-14 |
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| Summary: |
This study provides a methodological approach to the evaluation of the problems
posed by toxic substances, specifically toluene, in the workplace, and how these
relate to Mexican workers. The methodology was adapted and applied to a group
of workers exposed to toluene, in order to detect possible clinical, behavioural
and psychophysiological abnormalities.
Twenty workers from a company manufacturing sealing for engines took part in
the study (10 exposed, 10 non-exposed). All workers studied were male, with a
mean age of 32.3 years. They were matched by age, seniority and educational
level. The mean period of exposure for the "exposed " group was 6.6 years.
Several tests, previously found to be useful indicators for the early detection of
adverse effects of neurotoxin exposure, were used: clinical-psychological
interviews, the Questionnaire on Subjective Toxicity Symptoms (Hänninen and
Lindström), the Neurological and Psychological Symptoms Questionnaire (PNF),
Benton's Test of Visual Retention, the Critical Frequency for Fusion (CFF),
Simplé\ Reaction Time (SRT), Tachistoscope Measurements and the Threshold
of Tactile Discrimination (TTD).
Toluene-exposed workers displayed more abnormalities on the previously
mentioned tests than non-exposed workers. The best discrimination was
obtained with the use of Benton's test, the coefficient of variation for simple
reaction time and the tachistoscope measurements (Wilcoxon, p < 0.05). Some
tests showed importan differences between the two groups, but were not
statistically significant, probably because of the small number of workers studied. The battery of tests used in this study were consistent in detecting evidence of neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, additional research in this area is needed to confirm or reject these findings. |
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