آثار عصبي - رفتاري مواجهه با سينانور در كارگران

Background: Cyanid chemical substanc widely used industry is a major environmental pollutant and an important ʹtoxic asphyxiant, to which exposure occurs throughʹ Inhalation as well as ingestion and: skin contact. Methods: In this study, fifty six (56) male workers exposed to cyanide salts, in some of Helwan factories, were enrolled, with a mean age of 31.81±9.93 years and a mean duration of exposure of 12±2.5 years. Fifty nine (59) males not exposed to cyanide, with a mean age of 30.33±9.51 years were considered as control subjects. The examined group was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire, medical examination, psychometric assessment and laboratory studies. Results: The psychometric assessment showed that changes in Digit Total Score, Similarity test, Digit Symbol test, Trial Making test and Psychomotor Speed test were statistically significant. In addition, changes in Personality test, Neuroticism and Criminality were also statistically significant. The serum level of cyanide in the exposed workers who were also reported to be smokers, was 0.15=1:0/63 ug/mI compared to 0.086+0.004ug/ml in smokers of the control group, a difference which is statistically significant. On the other hand, cyanide serum level in exposed, non-smoker workers was 0.40±0.9 compared to 0.06±0.1 ug/ml in non-smokers of the control group, a difference which is also statistically significant. Conclusion: And thus, the study recommends that workers with a possibility of exposure to cyanide should be advised to wear protective gear and undertake protective measures to lessen direct exposure to cyanide.