Proposal of entering the mastoid vibration test in health surveillance of workers exposed to industrial solvents

: In view of the use of solvents and consequently the number of exposed subjects, health surveillance should include instrumental exams to highlight at an early stage alterations of health resulting from exposure. We evaluated 40 workers with chronic exposure to low-level xylene, toluene, fluorene and anthracene, showing that vestibular system was altered in a fair percentage of cases, compared to a control group characterized by 40 workers of the same age not exposed to solvents. The two groups were simultaneously exposed to noise. It is concluded that occupational exposure to industrial organic solvents may lead to chronic alteration of the vestibular system with possible alterations also on work capacity even below the established limits. Second, an assessment of the vestibular system should be introduced in the health surveillance of workers exposed, in which, in our opinion, the mastoid vibration test is a diagnostic tool absolutely valid and simple to perform.