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The following are some abstracts which link the exposure to Mercury and neurologic deficits. These may be of interest to those building a case for a disability, if they have had an exposure to Mercury. There is also a link between chronic toluene exposure and tremor, although not in these particular cites. Authors Albers JW. Kallenbach LR. Fine LJ. Langolf GD. Wolfe RA. Donofrio PD. Alessi AG. Stolp-Smith KA. Bromberg MB. Institution Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Title Neurological abnormalities associated with remote occupational elemental mercury exposure. Source Annals of Neurology. 24(5):651-9, 1988 Nov. Abstract We examined 502 subjects, 247 of whom had occupational elemental mercury exposures 20 to 35 years previously, to identify potential exposure-related neurological abnormalities. Few significant (p less than 0.05) differences existed between exposed and unexposed subjects. However, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated several significant correlations between declining neurological function and increasing exposure as determined by urine mercury measurements from the exposure interval. Subjects with urine mercury peak levels above 0.6 mg/L demonstrated significantly decreased strength, decreased coordination, increased tremor, decreased sensation, and increased prevalence of Babinski and snout reflexes when compared with the remaining subjects. Furthermore, subjects with clinical polyneuropathy had significantly higher peak levels than normal subjects (0.85 vs 0.61 mg/L; p = 0.04), but not increased exposure duration (20.1 vs 20.8 quarters; p = 0.34), and 28% of subjects with peak levels above 0.85 mg/L had clinical evidence of polyneuropathy, compared with 10% of remaining subjects (p = 0.005). Although exposure was not age dependent, several neurological measures showed significant age-mercury interaction, suggesting that natural neuronal attrition may unmask prior exposure-related subclinical abnormalities. Authors Inoue N. Institution Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University. Title [Extrapyramidal syndrome induced by chemical substances]. [Review] [Japanese] Source Nippon Rinsho - Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine. 51(11):2924-8, 1993 Nov. Abstract Extrapyramidal signs are frequently observed in toxic diseases due to environmental and industrial chemical substances. The predominant manifestations are Parkinsonism and less frequently tremor. Parkinsonism has been described among the toxic diseases due to carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen cyanide. In these diseases, Parkinsonism used to appear in the recovery stage from coma in the severe cases. This was also true in methyl alcohol poisoning. The extrapyramidal signs are usually symmetrical. Akinesia and rigidity are main features. Tremor is absent or mild. Levodopa and the other antiparkinsonian drugs are not so effective. Brain CT studies have revealed symmetrical low density areas in the globus pallidus and putamen. On the other hand, postural tremor is main neurological findings in the poisonings by inorganic mercury and tetraethyl lead. In general, tremor in the toxic disease is reported to be self-limited. [References: 21] Authors Fawer RF. de Ribaupierre Y. Guillemin MP. Berode M. Lob M. Title Measurement of hand tremor induced by industrial exposure to metallic mercury. Source British Journal of Industrial Medicine. 40(2):204-8, 1983 May. Abstract Hand tremor due to industrial exposure to metallic mercury vapour was recorded in 26 exposed and 25 non-exposed male workers by an accelerometer attached to the dorsum of the hand. The subjects were instructed to hold the hand and the forearm in the same position first without and then with a load of 1250 g supported by the hand. Analysis of the records showed that the highest peak frequencies (HPF) (the frequency corresponding to the highest acceleration) were higher in the exposed men than in the controls and were related to the duration of exposure to mercury and to age. The changes in HPF between rest and load were again higher in the exposed men than in the controls and again related to the duration of exposure and to age. The second moment (M2) (an index taking into account the whole recorded spectrum) was similar in the exposed men and controls at rest. The changes in M2 between rest and load were higher in the exposed men than in the controls but were related to duration of exposure and to the biological measurements (loge of mercury in urine or blood) and not to age. These neurophysiological impairments might result from the tendency of metallic mercury to accumulate in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that metallic mercury, even at concentrations probably below the current TLV-TWA of 0.05 mg/m3, can lead to neurological disorders. John Cottingham [log in to unmask] OR [log in to unmask]