Peripheral nerve and skin damage associated with working in a STCP factory: Report of four cases

Abstract

Sodium 3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ol (STCP) is a widely used intermediate for the production of chlorpyrifos. However, its effect on the health of workers in STCP factories has become increasingly problematic. This article reports four workers who worked in a STCP factory developed peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities and chloracne-like skin lesions on the whole body. Patches of follicular skin eruptions (mainly blackheads, accompanied by follicular orifice cornification occasionally accompanied by milia-like skin eruptions) were found on the head and face, around the auricle, chest and back, abdomen and scrotum. In one patient, the activity of serum cholinesterase was decreased and recovered slowly, but there were no muscarinic, nicotinic, or central nervous system symptoms. The concentrations of urine STCP detected in four patients were 0.266, 0.066, 0.044, and 0.033 μg/mL.

Keywords:

• Sodium 3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ol (STCP)
• Chloracne
• Cholinesterase