Effect of subacute occupational exposure to toluene on color vision.

The subacute effect of toluene on color vision was examined in 59 rotogravure workers exposed to toluene. Toluene and ethanol were determined in blood and color vision testing was performed on Monday before shift and on Friday after shift. The battery included the Ishihara plates, the Velhagen plates, the Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates part 2, the Farnsworth panel D-15 test, and the Lanthony desaturated panel D-15 test. The concentrations of toluene in blood ranged from < 0.22 to 7.37 mg/l. No effect of toluene on color vision could be observed even in a subgroup of highly exposed workers. So their ability to judge colored products was not impaired.