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A PILOT STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO 1-BROMOPROPANE LOOKING FOR NEUROLOGICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS

HESS, JEFFREY E
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022098837

Abstract Details

2002, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Environmental Health Sciences.
1-bromopropane is a solvent being increasingly used in the United States to replace ozone-depleting substances. Although concerns have been raised about potential health effects related to occupational exposure to 1-bromporopane, there is little useful data available for assessing 1-bromopropane as currently used in industry. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate if individuals occupationally exposed to 1-bromopropane at a foam cushion manufacturing facility in the United States were experiencing neurological or hematological effects. The study consisted of industrial hygiene sampling to assess occupational exposure to 1-bromopropane and a medical evaluation consisting of a questionnaire, a complete blood count, pre- and post-exposure urine analysis for bromine, and a battery of neurobehavioral tests. Twelve (92%) of 13 exposed and 20 (28%) of 71 lesser-exposed (comparison group) employees participated in the study. 1-brompropane airborne concentrations were found to be significantly higher for the exposed group than for the comparison group. No differences in hematopoietic indices were noted between the exposed and comparison groups. The exposed group reported 16 times the odds of experiencing blurry vision and 15 times the odds of experiencing dizziness or feeling off balance compared to the comparison group. Pre- and post-exposure urine bromine levels were shown to correlate well with airborne 1-bromopropane exposure concentrations. The psychomotor ability tests for right hand and arm tremor were elevated in the exposed group compared to the comparison group; the left arm did not demonstrate such a difference. The findings of our study indicate that workers who were exposed to 1-bromopropane at this manufacturing facility could have symptoms and neurological endpoints consistent with an effect of 1-bromopropane on the central nervous system. Limitations of this study, including the small number of workers participating, preclude conclusions at this time. Further investigation of these findings is recommended to evaluate potential health effects related to occupational exposure to 1-bromopropane.
Andrew Freeman (Advisor)
77 p.
1-bromopropane; Human; Solvent; Hematological; Neurobehavioral; Adhesive

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Citations

  • HESS, J. E. (2002). A PILOT STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO 1-BROMOPROPANE LOOKING FOR NEUROLOGICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022098837

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • HESS, JEFFREY. A PILOT STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO 1-BROMOPROPANE LOOKING FOR NEUROLOGICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022098837.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • HESS, JEFFREY. "A PILOT STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO 1-BROMOPROPANE LOOKING FOR NEUROLOGICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022098837

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1022098837
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© 2002, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.