Contents Search publications                                         Previous  Next

Chemicals that damage the peripheral nervous system do so in one or both of two ways. Chemicals can damage the outer covering of the nerve (the myelin sheath), which can re-grow quite quickly, or the nerve (axon) itself. Axons can regenerate, but only slowly. The solvents n-hexane and methyl butyl ketone (or more precisely, their metabolite hexane-2,5-dione) are examples of chemicals which damages axons. n-Hexane has been used in paints, glues, varnishes, plastics and rubber and its effects on the peripheral nervous system have been reported in shoe makers and cabinet makers (Stacey).

Damage to the peripheral nervous system causes symptoms like pins and needles (parasthesia), numbness and weakness in the hands and feet. The onset of these symptoms can be delayed for several months. Although many chemicals which affect the peripheral nervous system cause very similar effects, some produce more specific symptoms. Arsenic, for example, causes painful limbs and sensitive feet. Trichloroethylene, an organic solvent, affects nerves in the face, causing facial numbness and weakness, while the insecticide chlordecone (also known as Kepone) causes abnormal eye movements. Recovery from peripheral nervous system damage depends on the chemical involved, and the intensity of the exposure (Levy and Wegman).

Contents Search publications                                         Previous  Next