OSHwiki article in the spotlight: Occupational Neurotoxicology
THE EUROPEAN AGENCY for Safety and Health at Work has published a new OSHwiki article – Occupational Neurotoxicology – that provides information on the risks of various chemicals on human health.
Chemicals can produce neurotoxic disease in humans, but only a small fraction of chemicals has been adequately evaluated for neurotoxicity.
In 2009, a conservative estimate set the number of neurotoxic chemicals in the workplace at more than 1,000.
The article provides a general overview of occupational exposure to dangerous substances and the link with neurotoxicity. It provides definitions and an introduction to the most relevant neurotoxic agents and neurotoxic syndromes.
The heavy metals lead, arsenic, manganese and mercury are considered as the most neurotoxic agents from the occupational point of view. Exposure to plant protection products and biocides can lead to a plethora of severe neurological diseases. Organic solvents exposure can cause acute and long-term neurological damage.