Objective To study the neurobehavioral function among offset printing workers.
Methods A total of 40 printing workers were selected as exposure group, while 40 workers without any exposure to chemical as control group. The concentrations of benzene and its homologues were determined by gas chromatography(GC). The levels of Pb, Mn and Cr were determined by the inductance-coupling plasma atom emission spectrum method(ICP). The neurobehavioral function of workers were examined with neurobehavioral core test battery(NCTB)recommended by WHO.
Results The air concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene were 24.52 mg/m3, 420.33 mg/m3, and 105.62 mg/m3. All exceeded the national standards. The concentrations of Pb, Mn and Cr in the plant were 0.047 mg/m3, 0.45 mg/m3 and 0.031 mg/m3. The concentration of Mn exceeded the national standards. The levels of Pb, Mn and Cr in serum of the control group were(132.0& #177;.63.4)μg/L, (17.72& #177;2.94)μg/L, and(3.85& #177;0.62)μg/L. The levels of Pb, Mn and Cr in serum of the exposure group were(150.2& #177;52.3)μg/L, (19.08& #177;3.09)μg/L, and(4.11& #177;0.83)μg/L. The levels of Pb, Mn and Cr in hair of the control group were(1.040& #177;0.319)μg/g, (0.411& #177;0.083)μg/g, and(4.346& #177;1.359)μg/g. The levels of Pb, Mn and Cr in hair of he exposure group were(1.736& #177;0.651)μg/g,(0.977& #177;0.032)μg/g, and(8.049& #177;2.818)μg/g. Compared with the control group, the levels of Mn and Cr in serum and hair of the exposure group were increased significantly(P<0.05), the level of Pb in serum and hair did not show significant difference(P>0.05). In the tests of vigor-activity, anger-animus, aiming and digit span, the scores of the control group were 21.13& #177;6.32, 10.34& #177;6.07, 20.25& #177;3.61, and 170.04& #177;57.45. The scores of the exposure group were 17.64& #177;4.09, 14.20& #177;7.33, 17.63& #177;3.33 and 117.93& #177;49.02. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).
Conclusion Neurobehavioral function of offset printing workers were influenced by air pollution in the workshop. However, other factors need to be further ruled out.
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