Neurophysiological and Neuropathological Evaluation of Primates Exposed To Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide

• Published in: Toxicology and industrial health 1996-09, Vol.12 (5), p.667-682
• Main Authors: Setzer, J.V., Brightwell, W. Stephen, Russo, John M., Johnson, Barry L., Lynch, Dennis W., Madden, George, Burg, Jeanne R., Sprinz, Helmuth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Action Potentials - drug effects; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Body Weight - drug effects; Brain - drug effects; Brain - pathology; Electric Conductivity; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Epoxy Compounds - toxicity; Ethylene Oxide - toxicity; Food Handling; Fumigation; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Myelin Proteins - metabolism; Occupational Exposure; Primates; Sciatic Nerve - drug effects; Staining and Labeling; Tissue Embedding; Ulnar Nerve - drug effects
• ISSN: 0748-2337; 1477-0393
• DOI: 10.1177/074823379601200506

Over 500 000 workers in the United States are exposed to ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. These two solvents are used as chemical intermediates, as well as components in the manufacture of fumigants and food preparation. The neurophysiologic and neuropathologic effects of these two organic oxides were investigated in five groups of 12 primates after exposure to 50 or 100 ppm ethylene oxide, 100 or 300 ppm propylene oxide, or no chemical (sham-exposed). Animals were exposed for 7 h/day, 5 dayslwkfor 24 months. Body weights, electroencephalograms, and motor nerve conduction velocities of the sciatic and ulnar nerves were assessed six times throughout the exposure period. Although the monkeys exposed to 100 ppm ethylene oxide had significantly lower mean weights, nerve conduction velocities did not differ significantly among the groups. Following termination of exposures, ten animals (two from each exposure group) were