Neurobehavioral disturbances arising from occupational toluene exposure.

Background: Neurotoxicity of long-term exposure to toluene is known at higher levels than 50 ppm and is suspected at lower levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out in two printing plants on 129 blue collar workers explored such a low level exposure of toluene. With 231 samples of ambient air, toluene concentration was estimated from 0 to 18 ppm in Plant A (offset) and from 2 to 27 ppm in Plant B (heliogravure).