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Two train conductors showed progressive neurobehavioral deterioration for 40
months before some functions appeared to stabilize. Choice and even simple
visual reaction times continued to slow balance remained highly abnormal and
blink reflex (R-1) went from normal to extremely delayed and finally would not
be elicited. Mood states showed extreme depression, anger, tension and fatigue.
Neither conductors' lungs showed impairment. Mental speed was reduced in problem
solving and recall of stories was impaired for stories immediately and after 30
minutes (delayed). It is plausible to assign a major causal role to cadmium,
which boils at a low temperature and poisons many body systems as compared to
nickel. Cadmium after entering the central nervous system through the nose and
shows its path by staining the olfactory bulb and tract including the amygdala,
bright yellow. There may have been exposure to nickel carbonyl from this
electrical fire with its low oxygen (reducing) supply. Also it is likely that
vinyl chloride monomer vaporized from polyvinyl chloride wire insulation was a
major toxic agent. It is tempting to attribute the neurobehavioral and
physiological abnormalities principally to cadmium, with contributions from
nickel carbonyl and from vinyl chloride monomer, and to hydrogen chloride and
cyanide from the thermal decomposition of the polysulfone materials in this
train's emergency battery box.
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