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Hi Steve, As promised two abstracts. Maybe it gets you thinking. Kees Paap My provider wouldn't let me send it in one file, so i cut it in 2. =============================================================== P292 HIGH RISK FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE IN A SAMPLE OF POST PFFICE EMPLOYEES WORKING WITH LEAD BATTERIES OVER YEARS R. Winkel*, W. Kuhn, G. Amoiridis, P. Klotz and H. Przuntek Department of Neurologie, Ruhr of Bochum, St. Josef Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany. >From eight post office workers who were in close contactwith lead-sulphate batteries over a period between 1939 and 1980 seven developed Parkinson's Disease. Clinical, electrophysiological, morphological and biochemical data will be presented. Four patients with severe parkinsonism (Hoehn/Yahr stage IV) additionally showed clinical and electrophysiological signs of axonal neuropathy. Although the underlying mechanisms leading to PD In this group of workers have not been identified. It seems highly probable that chemical substances which are present in the batteries are responsible for causing the disease. This is supported by the detection of axonol neuropathy in four patients. Earlier reports indicate that lead or its compounds could cause Parkinson's Disease. It seems unlikely that sulphuric acid, which is also present in the battery is a main causative factor in inducing degenerative disorders. Neverttheless we cannot exclude the possible formation of toxic sulphuric compounds e.g. hydrogen sulphide or carbon disulphide. Movement Disorders Volume 9/suppl 1/1994