Neuropsychological deficit among elderly workers in aluminum production

Am J Ind Med. 1994 May;25(5):649-62. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700250505.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Norwegian primary aluminum plant. All workers aged 61-66 years were offered early retirement benefits. Among the workers, 47 met the study criteria and 38 (81%), comprising 14 potroom workers, 8 foundry workers, and 16 controls, volunteered to participate. They were tested with a neuropsychological test battery. Workers in potrooms with Søderberg electrolytic cells were found to show signs of impairment of the nervous system. A test for tremor discriminated significantly between the potroom group and the controls. There was a suggestion of increased risk of impaired visuospatial organization and a tendency to a decline in psychomotor tempo in the potroom workers. We suggest that the above findings may be related to long-term occupational exposure in the potroom, and further to chronic low-dose exposure to aluminum.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aluminum / toxicity*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Intelligence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Norway
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance

Substances

  • Aluminum