Methyl Ethyl Ketone Polyneuropathy in Shoe Factory Workers

Three cases of polyneuropathy in shoe factory workers are described. The etiologic agent is felt to be methyl ketone, a substance previously thought to be a safe solvent. The concentration of this substance in the ambient air of the patients was below the threshold limit value. This suggests that there may be a cumulative effect and that we should reexamine the threshold limit values set for all the organic solvents with respect to inhalation and absorption from skin surfaces.