Nitromethane

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

circa 2001

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: human exposure related study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Peripheral Neuropathy in Workers Exposed to Nitromethane.

Author:

Page, E.H., Pajeau, A.K., Arnold, T.C., Fincher, A.R., Goddard, M.J.

Year:

2001

Bibliographic source:

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 40:107-113.

Materials and methods

Study type:

clinical case study

Endpoint addressed:

neurotoxicity

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Clinical study

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Nitromethane

EC Number:

200-876-6

EC Name:

Nitromethane

Cas Number:

75-52-5

Molecular formula:

CH3NO2

IUPAC Name:

nitromethane

Details on test material:

No additional information available.

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Subjects:

Two workers from a headlight assembly plant developed severe peripheral neuropathy. The workers had extensive, brief (1-2 months) dermal and inhalation exposure to nitromethane. Environmental sampling was performed for NM and ethyl cyanoacrylate. Medical records, including electrodiagnostic studies, were reviewed. Literature on nitromethane in the workplace was reviewed.

Route of exposure:

other: dermal and inhalation

Reason of exposure:

intentional, occupational

Exposure assessment:

measured

Results and discussion

Results of examinations:

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on the patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on the patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation. Environmental sampling revealed exposure to NM at the TLV. While it could not be definitively concluded that the workers developed the neuropathy from exposures at work, occupational exposure to NM appeared to be the most likely etiology.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on the patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation. Environmental sampling revealed exposure to NM at the TLV. While it could not be definitively concluded that the workers developed the neuropathy from exposures at work, occupational exposure to NM appeared to be the most likely etiology.

Executive summary:

Two workers from a headlight subassembly plant developed severe peripheral neuropathy. These workers had extensive, but brief (1-2 months) dennal and inhalational exposure to nitromethane, a solvent. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies performed on the patients were consistent with a severe, axonal neuropathy. No etiology was discovered despite an extensive medical evaluation. Environmental sampling revealed exposure to NM at the TLV. While it could not be definitively concluded that the workers developed the neuropathy from exposures at work, occupational exposure to NM appeared to be the most likely etiology.