Myoclonic Encephalopathy after Exposure to Trichloroethylene

Sanz, Pere; Nogué, Santiago; Vilchez, Daniel; Salvadó, Elisa; Casal, Amparo; Logroscino, Giancarlo

doi:10.2486/indhealth.46.635

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This Swedish case-control study found a 1.7-fold increased risk of epilepsy among individuals with any probable exposure to unspecified solvents (p = 0.20) and a 4.4-fold increased risk among individuals with probable heavy solvent exposure (p = 0.05). These associations are supported by several case reports documenting the occurrence of seizures following occupational or recreational exposure to mixed solvents [ 42 , 43 ], trichloroethylene [ 44 ], and glues composed of toluene and xylene [ 45 - 48 ] among previously healthy adults and adolescents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Long-term health effects of early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

et al. 2015

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BackgroundWhile adult exposure to PCE is known to have toxic effects, there is little information on the long-term impact of prenatal and early childhood exposure. We undertook a retrospective cohort study to examine the effects of their early life exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water. This retrospective cohort study examined whether prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water influenced the risk of a variety of chronic conditions among adults who were born between 1969 and 1983 in the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts.MethodsEight hundred and thirty-one participants with prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure and 547 unexposed participants were studied. Individuals completed questionnaires to gather information on demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and other sources of solvent exposure. The location of residences from birth through 1990 were used to estimate PCE exposure with U.S. EPA’s water distribution system modeling software (EPANET) modified to incorporate a leaching and transport model.ResultsNo associations were observed between early life PCE exposure and current occurrence of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, color blindness, near- and far sightedness and dry eyes. In contrast, a 1.8-fold increased risk of cancer (95% CI: 0.8, 4.0) was seen among individuals with any early life exposure. These results were based on 31 participants (23 exposed and 8 unexposed) who reported cancers at a variety of anatomical sites, particularly the cervix. A 1.5-fold increase in the risk of epilepsy (95% CI: 0.6, 3.6, based on 16 exposed and 7 unexposed participants) was also observed among individuals with any early life exposure that was further increased to 1.8 (95% CI: 0.7, 4.6) among those with exposure at or above the sample median.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the risk of epilepsy and certain types of cancer such as cervical cancer may be increased among adults who were exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water exposure during gestation and early childhood. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the study limitations and confirmed in follow-up investigations of similarly exposed populations with medically-confirmed diagnoses. This relatively young study population should also be monitored periodically for subsequent changes in disease risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Long-term health effects of early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

et al. 2015

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“…Exposure to neurotoxic industrial solvents also caused such problems. There were reports about trichloroethylene-induced myoclonic encephalopathy (Sanz et al, 2008), as well as general seizures following ingestion of 1,4-butanediol (Mégarbane et al, 2002) and styrene (Welp et al, 1996).…”

Section: Epilepsy: Concept External Causation Role Of Environmentalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Central nervous effect of manganase in rats investigated by repeated simultaneous electrophysiological and behavioral recording

Takács¹

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Human environment (including workplaces, homes, outdoor areas, etc.) can contain various neurotoxicants, being of both natural and synthetic origin, and exposing humans by inhalation, by consumption of foods and drinking water, or via the skin. The major groups of relevant toxicants include both organics and inorganics, mainly metals and metal compounds. Manganese (Mn) has, in form of alloys and compounds, numerous practical applications from steelmaking to nano-electronics. It is an essential trace element for all living organismspresent, among others, in glial glutamine synthetase, and in mitochondrial complex II and III but has toxic effects when overdosed. This intestinal absorption is a self-regulated process whereas parenteral absorption after inhalation etc. may be much more efficient, which has toxicological relevance.

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Myoclonic seizure prior to diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy: a case report

Hooste¹

2017

J Med Case Reports

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Background“Thinner” is a widely used industrial mixture of organic solvents. Exposure to organic solvents is usually not considered to be a possible cause of epilepsy, despite descriptions of toxic effects on the central nervous system. There are only a few reports about a possible epileptogenic effect of organic solvents exposure. We report a case of myoclonic seizure at the workplace that shows a remarkable coincidence between exposure to a thinner mixture and the occurrence of an epileptic seizure.Case presentationWe present the case of a 50-year-old Belgian woman exposed to organic solvents for more than 20 years in a paintbrush manufactory. In 2009, her biological monitoring of hippuric acid (primary urinary metabolite of toluene) exceeded the threshold limit value of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.In 2012, after a period of high organic solvents exposure without the use of proper collective or personal airway protection, she had a seizure with myoclonic movements of her four limbs and loss of consciousness at her workplace. An electroencephalogram, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of her head were within limits. Non-toxicological and toxicological causes were investigated. Her seizures did not reappear after workplace removal.Two years after her epileptic insult she was diagnosed with chronic toxic encephalopathy type 2b.In 2015, volatile organic compounds were measured at her workplace. Multiple (3/18) air samples exceeded the Belgian time-weighted average over 8 hours (77 mg/m3) for toluene.ConclusionsKnowledge about the impact of solvent exposure on the occurrence of epileptic insults is lacking. Long-term exposure to organic solvents is usually not considered to be a possible cause of epileptic seizure. But epileptic discharges have been described on electroencephalogram recordings for patients with chronic toxic encephalopathy. Myoclonic encephalopathy has been reported in toxic conditions.This case emphasizes a possible unusual neurological presentation of occupational exposure to organic solvents. It may be explained by lowering of the threshold for seizures due to high solvents exposure, most probably by toluene. This case suggests a chronological connection between a high occupational exposure to solvents and an epileptic insult. We found no other plausible cause.

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Myoclonic Encephalopathy after Exposure to Trichloroethylene

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Long-term health effects of early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

Long-term health effects of early life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

Central nervous effect of manganase in rats investigated by repeated simultaneous electrophysiological and behavioral recording

Myoclonic seizure prior to diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy: a case report

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