• organic solvent
• toluene
• 1, 2, 3-trichloropropan
• acute toxic leukoencephalopathy
• migrant workers

Organic solvents are widely used in the construction industry. Migrant workers, an important source of construction workers in China, are at risk of solvent intoxication. Here we describe two young male migrant workers who were diagnosed with acute toxic leukoencephalopathy due to intense exposure to organic solvents contained in construction materials.

Patient 1 had been applying tape to pipes in non-ventilated, underground apartments for 5 days before he developed a slow reaction time, headache, nausea and vomiting. He worked 10 h per day with a 10-min break in both the morning and the afternoon. The adhesive tape he used produced a strong smell, and he did not wear any personal protective equipment. Patient 2 had been painting internal walls for 6 days before he developed headache, nausea, vomiting, diplopia and intermittent drowsiness. He worked in confined spaces for up to 8 h at a time without any protective equipment. He complained of irritated eyes and throat caused by the strong fumes from the liquid lacquer he used.

Brain MRI of patient 1 showed subcortical and periventricular white matter lesions (figure 1A) plus involvement of bilateral cerebellar dentate nuclei (figure 1B), while patient 2 showed diffuse symmetric white matter lesions in subcortical and periventricular areas and internal capsules (see online supplementary figure S1). Toluene was detected in the adhesive tape patient 1 worked with, and toxicology screening showed benzoic acid in his blood and urine (0.2 μg/ml and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively; undetectable in the general population). A blood sample from patient 2 was positive for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) (7.6 ng/ml; undetectable in the general population). Thus, diagnoses of acute toxic leukoencephalopathy induced by toluene and TCP were established in the two workers. Following intensive treatment and care, both patients recovered well enough to resume normal life within 6 months.

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Figure 1

T-2 weighted MRI images showing subcortical and periventricular white matter lesions (A) with involvement of bilateral symmetric dentate nuclei (B).

Toluene and TCP are organic solvents commonly used in the manufacture of paints, adhesives and many other materials.1 ,2 Well known acute organic solvent-induced central nervous system neurotoxicity includes depression and narcosis, while long-term adverse effects include neurodegeneration.3 Kornfeld and his colleagues have speculated that leukoencephalopathy induced by chronic exposure to organic solvents causes a demyelination process similar to that see in adrenoleukodystrophy.4 However, acute toxic leukoencephalopathy due to organic solvents has not been reported previously. The clinical picture and reversible course of the condition in our patients were similar to those of acute toxic leukoencephalopathy induced by other causes such as chemotherapy and heroin inhalation.5

Our patients had worked in confined spaces without proper ventilation for a short period of time. Neither the quantity of toxic substances in the materials they used nor the concentration of solvent vapour in their work environment were monitored. As neither wore protective equipment, it is highly likely that they absorbed solvents through inhalation and skin contact.

The two cases described here highlight the necessity of improving practice hygiene and environmental surveillance for migrant workers in order to prevent solvent intoxication.1 Clinicians should be aware of acute solvent-induced leukoencephalopathy so that appropriate examination and treatment can be provided in a timely manner.