Evidence of Neurotoxicity in Working Children in Lebanon

Abstract

The potential for exposure to neurotoxicants in Lebanon is high, especially in the absence of strict control and regulatory measures in workplaces. Children working in mechanical and other trade workshops are at significant risk of exposure to organic solvents and as a result at significant risk to develop clinical and subclinical signs of neurotoxicity. This study investigated the association between exposure to solvents and neurobehavioral performance of 10–17 years old working children in comparison to groups of non-exposed working children and non-exposed children at school. A convenience cross-sectional sample of 100 working children (10–17 years) exposed to organic solvents at work, a positive control of 100 non-solvent exposed working children, and a negative control of 100 non-working, non-exposed school children were recruited to the study. The exposed and non-exposed groups were, as far as possible, frequency matched on geographic location of residence and on age. Neurotoxic effects were assessed through a questionnaire and the child’s performance on a battery of neurobehavioral tests, which were specifically selected for a non-English speaking population and were tailored to assess the specific modalities of the central nervous system commonly known to be affected by the neurotoxicants identified. Children in the non-exposed groups (working and non-working) performed better than the working exposed group on reaction speed for the choice reaction time, symbol-digit and dual task tracking tests, but accuracy of performance was not affected on these tests. Children in the working exposed group also complained of more headaches, loss of concentration, memory deficits and higher irritability. This study identifies an association between exposure to solvents and lower neurobehavioral performance. Response speed appears to be particularly affected in solvent exposed working children.