Saf Health Work.  2012 Dec;3(4):257-267.

Occupational Neurotoxic Diseases in Taiwan

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. cch0537@adm.cgmh.org.tw
  • 2Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Graduate Institute of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 3Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Abstract

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.

Keyword

Occupational diseases; Neurotoxins; Manganese; Thallium; n-Hexane; Carbon disulfide; Dimethylamine borane

MeSH Terms

Arsenic
Ataxia
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Monoxide
Cerebellar Diseases
Delivery of Health Care
Developing Countries
Dimethylamines
Disease Outbreaks
Electrophysiology
Gases
Hexanes
Hydrogen Sulfide
Manganese
Metals, Heavy
Nervous System
Neuroimaging
Neurologic Manifestations
Neuromuscular Junction Diseases
Neurotoxins
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Health
Organophosphate Poisoning
Organophosphates
Parkinsonian Disorders
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Semiconductors
Sodium Fluoride
Solvents
Taiwan
Thallium
Tin
Toluene
Urethane
Arsenic
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Monoxide
Dimethylamines
Gases
Hexanes
Hydrogen Sulfide
Manganese
Metals, Heavy
Neurotoxins
Organophosphates
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Sodium Fluoride
Solvents
Thallium
Tin
Toluene
Urethane
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