Hazardous Waste and Neurobehavioral Effects: A Developmental Perspective

This paper summarizes the findings gleaned from detailed clinical examinations of three groups of residents who were exposed to trichloroethylene in well water. Also summarized are diagnostic findings for peripheral neuropathy. A detailed description of the neuropsychological test results is included, as well as a summary of domain-specific findings and diagnostic outcomes. A high rate of cognitive deficits of the type seen in patients with central nervous system dysfunction attributable to solvent exposure was seen. In addition, there was a clear developmental trend: subjects who were younger at the time of TCE exposure showed deficits in a larger variety of cognitive realms than did subjects who had already reached adulthood by the time of exposure. In particular, language deficits were seen in the younger, but not older, exposed subjects.