Clinical and experimental neurotoxicity of 2-t-butylazo-2-hydroxy-5-methylhexane

Seven workers developed weight loss, sensorimotor neuropathy, visual dysfunction, impaired mentation, and emotional lability shortly after the introduction of a new synthetic catalyst in a plant manufacturing reinfoced bathtubs. The newly introduced catalyst, 2‐t‐butylazo‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylhexane, is shown to produce a similar syndrome in rats. Axonal degenration of optic nerves, ascending and descending spinal tracts, and peripheral nerves appears to underlie this syndrome.