Psychological Performance in Relation to Central and Peripheral Nerve Conduction in Workers Exposed to Lead, Zinc, and Copper

Psychological performance was examined in relation to central and peripheral nerve conduction by means of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test, short-latency somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP), and median nerve conduction velocity in 19 male gun-metal foundry workers exposed to lead, zinc, and copper. (Their blood lead concentrations--ie, 16-64 micrograms/dl with a mean of 42--and plasma zinc and copper concentrations were significantly higher than those of control subjects). In these workers, the score of picture completion (psychological performance) was significantly low; indicators of lead absorption, but no indicators of zinc and copper absorption, were significantly correlated with this score. The score of picture completion was significantly correlated with the N11-N13 latency of SSEP (conduction time in the spinobulbar region) in the workers; their N11-N13 latency, together with the N9 and N9-N11 latencies, was significantly prolonged and was significantly correlated with indicators of lead absorption. Furthermore, their maximal motor and sensory conduction velocities of the median nerve were significantly slowed. It is concluded that both psychological performance and central and peripheral nerve conduction may be impaired in lead-exposed workers with BPb's below approximately 60 micrograms/dl.