Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in traffic policemen occupationally exposed to vehicular emission

Abstract

Background and Aim: It is a well-known fact that traffic policemen in Delhi are exposed to immense vehicular pollution particularly at crowded intersections. These pollutants affect various systems of the body including nervous system in due course of time. Realizing these facts, we recorded absolute and inter peak latencies (IPLs) of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in traffic policemen exposed to enormous vehicular emission and compared with the normal controls living in the residential areas in Delhi. Methods: Totally, 60 subjects all males and nonsmokers between 30 and 50 years of age were studied, 30 belonged to exposed group comprised of traffic policemen and 30 nonexposed controls. Their BAEPs were recorded using MEB 5200 Neuropack II plus evoked potential recorder (Nihon Kohden, Japan) and evaluation of anthropometric and neuro-psychiatric parameters was done. To compare BAEP results, Student's t -test was used. Results: Significantly prolonged absolute peak latencies I, II, III, IV, V and IPL I-III in exposed group were observed as compared to controls. Conclusion: Findings suggest prolongation of peripheral and central auditory conduction time in exposed subjects. The prolonged latencies in exposed group may be attributed to occupational exposure to vehicular emission.