Extrapyramidal and other neurologic manifestations associated with carbon disulfide fumigant exposure
H. A. Peters, R. L. Levine, C. G. Matthews and L. J. Chapman
Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792.
Three groups of pesticide-exposed grain workers from three different work
facilities experienced chronic central and peripheral nervous system
dysfunction that appeared to be exposure related. The grain inspectors,
malt laboratory workers, and grain elevator workers displayed higher
prevalence rates of atypical parkinsonism, cerebellar signs, hearing loss,
and sensory changes than would be expected in a nonneurologic control
population. The 21 self-selected patients included in this report exhibited
cogwheel rigidity in 80% (17/21), decreased associated movements in 71%
(15/21), distal sensory shading in 62% (13/21), intention tremulousness in
52% (11/21), resting tremulousness in 48% (10/21), and nerve conduction
abnormalities in 44% (7/16). Carbon disulfide, a major component of the
fumigant mixtures used, has been associated in the rayon industry, since
the 1930s, with similar neurologic symptoms.
