NEUROTOXICITY – CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
William J. Rea, M.D., F.A.C.S, F.A.A.E.M. and Yaqin Pan, M.D.
American Environmental Health Foundation, Dallas, TX
Abstract: One hundred patients (ages 12-75; F-61; M-39; average 45), who had chronic chemical exposure at their work place were studied. Exposure source varied but was mainly from solvents in the ambient air. The patients used no protective gear. The main complaints were neurological symptoms 49%; (headaches, migraines, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate, loss of concentration, vertigo, light headedness), fibromyalgia, fatigue, arthritis, arthralgia, and musculoskeletal symptoms 51%. All patients were not able to stand on their toes with their eyes closed or able to walk a straight line with their eyes closed. Associated symptoms included respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis) 35%; ENT (hearing loss, tinnitus, hoarseness, laryngeal edema, dysphasia) 35%; GI (irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption, diarrhea) 18%; cardiovascular (vasculitis, chest pain, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, angioedema, mitral valve disease) 30%; endocrine (ovarian imbalance, PMS, hypothyroid, thyroiditis) 94%; eye (cataract, vision loss) 2%; skin (rash) 1%. 100% had chemical sensitivity including 6 implants (chin, breast, hip) 2 mercury toxicants; food sensitivity 89%; biological inhalant sensitivity 76%; EMF sensitivity 3%; candidiasis 4%.
Outline: Toxic solvent exposure was evident in 54 patients whose blood was measured with 1,1,1 trichloroethane 45%; benzene in 24%; trimethylbenzene 19%; xylene 9 %; dichloromethane 13%; chloroform 2%; trichloroethylene 7%; tetrachloroethylene 7%; ethylbenzene 2% and dichlorobenzene 2%. Another segment of solvents measured in these patients were the aliphatic hydrocarbon patients who had 3-methylpentane 89%, 2-methylpentane 85% and n-Hexane 75%. One (1) had n-pentane and 7% cyclopentane; 28 patients were measured for chlorinated pesticides. 100% had DDE, 46% trans nonachlor, 25% oxychlorodane, 14% heptachlor epoxide, 31% had hexachlorobenzene, 18% B-BHC, 14% Dieldrin, 98% of the patients were sensitive to food and 93% sensitive to mold, 74% to trees and grasses. 76 patients had intradermal skin tests for chemicals with ethanol 55%; formaldehyde 47%; cologne 96%; cigarette smoke 64%; metal testing performed on 16 patients show at 81% sensitivity to nickel and 69% to zinc sulfate. Double blind inhaled challenge revealed sensitivity to 1,1,1,trichloroethane 20%; formaldehyde 16.7%; toluene 16.9%; 16 organophosphate pesticide 16.7%; phenol 12.5%; chlorine 11.1%, ethanol 6.2%. T-lymphocytes 58% low, T4 3.5% low and 21% high; T8 lymphocytes 59% low and 15% high; B-lymphocytes 3% low, 4% high; CMI 3/7 33%; 4/7 27%; 5/7 20%; 6-7 9%; 2/7 13%.
Triple camera brain SPECT scan had 81 patients measured and 81 were positive for Neurotoxicity. Posturography was performed in 78 patients with 79% having abnormal sensory organization and 44 abnormal motor organization. Pupillography showed 84% abnormalities. Heart rate variability was performed on nine patients. All were abnormal. Specific utaneous thermography was performed in 20 patients with 95% rigid (low) response and 5 % hypersensitive response.
Conclusion: Treatment consisted of a massive avoidance of pollutants in air, food and water. Injection therapy, oral and intravenous nutrition, sauna therapy and autogenous lymphocytic factor. There was a significant 82% improvement rate.