Electromyographic investigation in early diagnosis of carbon disulphide neuropathy: a study on 216 workers with different degrees of exposure.

An electromyographic (EMG) investigation was performed on 216 workers of a viscose rayon plant with different degrees of exposure to CS2. In the light of the data supplied by the survey the AA. maintain that meedle EMG is able to detect, probably better than other test, changes of PNS even if they are very slight, and to select subjects having a higher risk of suffering from neuropathies. Nevertheless, also because of its sensitivity, EMG seems to be less specific than other electrophysiological parameters such as maximal motor conductions velocity (MMCV), that is significantly altered in exposed people. Muscular changes may be connected to a specific effect of CS2 less surely than MMCV change. However, they might be considered as pointing to a predisposition to PNS illness and it seems advisable to eclude these subjects from CS2 exposure.