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Electrophysiological measurements were taken in Chinese female glass workers to examine the effects of lead exposure on autonomic and central nervous system functions. Exposed workers complained of more subjective symptoms and signs than did the unexposed controls, and had lower electrocardiographic R-R interval variability, sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, and sympathetic/parasympathetic activity ratios. No differences were seen in the visual and brainstem auditory evoked potential latencies between exposed and unexposed groups. The rates of memory disturbances and abdominal distention were higher in the exposed group as well. The authors suggest that the autonomic nervous system is more susceptible to lead than the central nervous system, and that sympathetic activity is affected more strongly by lead exposure than parasympathetic activity.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 28(2):233-244, 1995. (47 references)
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