The development of a neurobehavioral test battery for use in hazard evaluations in occupational settings

Abstract

The interest in, and number of, neurobehavioral test batteries for use in occupational settings has increased markedly over the last decade. While this is a welcome development in furthering the cause for greater acceptance of these methods in hazard evaluation and toxicity testing, there are a number of issues that are not being addressed by many test battery designers and users. Without careful consideration of important issues concerning the use of the test batteries, such as the level of testing needed and the selection of appropriate tests, the specificity and sensitivity of tests chosen, the role of computers in test delivery, and the standardisation and interpretation of test results, it is likely that the credibility and utility of neurobehavioral testing will be jeopardized even at this early stage of development. In this paper, the development of a test battery for use in occupational health will be discussed with particular reference to the degree of success in addressing some of the issues described above. A test battery was designed using an information processing model of behavior generation as a base. A continuing programme of standardisation is being carried out on a range of working populations and current results will be discussed. The battery has also been used to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to a number of hazardous substances including mercury, lead, and most recently, solvents, and to hazardous environments, specifically, underwater work. These results are summarised in terms of the ability of the test battery to detect the effects of particular hazards.