Lead exposure during demolition of a steel structure coated with lead-based paints. II. Reversible changes in the conduction velocity of the motor nerves in transiently exposed workers.

In a group of workers exposed to high levels of lead during five months nerve conduction velocity parameters were evaluated at the termination of exposure, and also three and fifteen months later. At the termination of exposure the mean blood lead level was 4.0 mumol/l, and motor conduction velocities in the median and the ulnar nerves were slower and the distal latencies in the median nerve were longer compared to the values measured 15 months later. Sensory conduction velocities, measured distally in the same nerves, were not depressed compared to the values measured three or fifteen months later. It was tentatively concluded that the effect of lead on the conduction velocity of the motor nerves has an initial reversible phase, dependent on the duration of exposure.