Potroom palsy. Neurologic disorder in three aluminum smelter workers

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1985.00360110042011· OSTI ID:6185176

Longstreth, Jr, W T; Rosenstock, L; Heyer, N J

The authors studied three patients with a progressive neurologic disorder, all of whom had worked for over 12 years in the same potroom of an aluminum smelting plant. All had incoordination and an intention tremor. Two of the three patients had cognitive deficits, and the most severely affected patient also had spastic paraparesis. None had involvement of the peripheral nervous system. Despite extensive evaluations, the cause of these patients problems remains obscure. It is tempting to implicate one of the numerous substances to which the patients were exposed in the potroom, but none is known to cause the neurologic problems seen in these patients. Neurotoxic effects of aluminum in animals are directed at the central nervous system, and theoretically long-term low-level exposure to aluminum in the potroom could explain the findings in our patients.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle
• OSTI ID: 6185176
• Journal Information: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 11; ISSN AIMDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
DISEASES
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
METALLURGY
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
PATIENTS
PHYSIOLOGY
SMELTING