[Use of subjective symptom measurements in evaluating the health effects of exposure of workers to neurotoxic compounds].

To evaluate early health effects in workers exposed to neurotoxic compounds, symptomatological questionnaires have been extensively applied recently. These measure subjective symptoms, i.e. indicators of the central nervous system dysfunction caused by hazards. With the symptomatological questionnaire, called the Questionnaire of Subjective Symptoms, developed by H. Hänninen et al. and adjusted to the Polish conditions, workers of dry-cleaning laundry exposed to tetrachloroethylene and workers of wet-cleaning laundry (controls) have been examined. The results have demonstrated that those exposed to tetrachloroethylene complained more frequently of neurological disturbances of lower and upper limbs, as compared to controls. When compared to Finnish workers, Polish subjects present much more complaints related to all symptoms.