Clinical and experimental neurotoxicity of 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane.

Seven workers developed weight loss, sensorimotor neuropathy, visual dysfunction, impaired mentation, and emotional lability shortly after the introduction of a new synthetic catalyst in a plant manufacturing reinforced bathtubs. The newly introduced catalyst, 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane, is shown to produce a similar syndrome in rats. Axonal degeneration of optic nerves, ascending and descending spinal tracts, and peripheral nerves appears to underlie this syndrome.