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Science 30 August 1974:
Vol. 185. no. 4153, pp. 787 - 789
DOI: 10.1126/science.185.4153.787
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Articles

Toxic Polyneuropathy Produced by Methyl N-Butyl Ketone

J. R. Mendell 1, K. Saida 1, M. F. Ganansia 1, D. B. Jackson 1, H. Weiss 1, R. W. Gardier 1, C. Chrisman 1, N. Allen 1, D. Couri 1, J. O'Neill 1, B. Marks 1, and L. Hetland 1

1 Neurotoxicity Collaborative Study, Ohio State University, 466 West Tenth Avenue, Columbus 43210

A polyneuropathy affecting a large number of workers was recently observed at a plant producing plastic-coated and color-printed fabrics. Epidemiological data suggested strongly that methyl N-butyl ketone (MBK) was responsible for the outbreak. This hypothesis is now supported by the development of a peripheral neuropathy in chickens, rats, and cats exposed to MBK at atmospheric concentrations of 200 to 600 parts per million, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Although the animals were exposed continuously and the affected workers were exposed intermittently, the averages of the total number of hours of exposure for development of the peripheral neutropathy in the animals and workers were remarkably close.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Chemotaxis as a Tool in Detecting Biological Early Effects in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Low Levels of n-HeXane.
M. Governa, M. Valentino, I. Visana, and F. Monaco (1994)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 13, 663-670
   Abstract »    PDF »
MBK Neuropathy Among Spray Painters.
J. S. Mallov (1976)
JAMA 235, 1455-1457
   Abstract »    PDF »
Toxic Polyneuropathy Due to Methyl n-Butyl Ketone: An Industrial Outbreak.
N. Allen, J. R. Mendell, D. J. Billmaier, R. E. Fontaine, and J. O'Neill (1975)
Arch Neurol 32, 209-218
   Abstract »    PDF »


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