抄録
A 19-year-old man who had sniffed lacquer thinner for 8 months was found to suffer from cerebellar dysfunction and visual disorders. He had blurred vision, dysarthria, nystagmus, slight intention tremor, staggering gait and an abnormal EEG. The thinner contained 68% toluene, 18% ethyl acetate, 9% methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), 3% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and 3% butyl acetate. The concentration of each solvent in the plastic bag used for sniffing was 12, 000 ppm toluene, 11, 500 ppm ethyl acetate, 6, 000 ppm IPA and 2, 000 ppm MIBK. Previ-ously reported cerebellar dysfunctions due to toluene or toluene-containing solvents are summarized and discussed. Based on these reports and the present case, toluene is presumed to impair function in the order of the vermis, cerebellar hemispheres, and cerebrum, when a relatively high concentration of toluene is inhaled. The effects of organic solvents, especially toluene, on the cerebellum are considered to be very important from the viewpoint of occupational health, since toluene is widely used in industry and many workers are exposed to it.
