Magnetic field effects on dental amalgam in divers welding and cutting electrically underwater

Divers have for some years been complaining about a metallic taste in the mouth while electrically welding and cutting underwater. This paper reports on results from an assessment of this problem. It was hypothesized that the magnetic fields arising from the welding or cutting current could correlate with the reported symptoms. The intraoral magnetic flux density was calculated to 1.15 mT, at 650 ADC, in a normal cutting situation. This was verified in vivo. This magnetic field was shown to contain an AC component that is a candidate for inducing secondary currents in the oral tissues and restorative materials. Five submerged divers exposed to a magnetic field of 0.35 mT did not report any metallic taste. Magnetophosphenes were reported by 1 diver. (Magnetophosphenes are luminous impressions due to excitement of the retina by a magnetic field in addition to or in place of impingement of light rays.) Only a slight shielding effect to magnetic fields was observed due to a copper-brass helmet. An in vitro model for exposure of dental amalgams to magnetic fields was designed. Recommendations for decreasing the magnetic field surrounding the diver in practical work is given.     

Evaluation of oral problems in divers performing electrical welding and cutting under water

A study of 118 professional commercial divers, using an inquiry form, revealed that 55% of the divers complained about a metallic taste in the mouth when working with electrical equipment under water. A nationwide clinical examination of 40 divers was performed to see if the metallic taste during work reflected any alteration in the oral cavity. The clinical appearance of the dental amalgam restorations differed significantly between divers who had been working with electrical equipment and divers who had not. A number of other dental indexes were assessed and showed no differences between the two groups. These included salivary secretion rate, buffering capacity, secondary caries, plaque index, bleeding index, and cultures of S. mutans and Lactobacillus. Relatively high levels of the two organisms were noted, indicating that the group of divers examined should be considered as a caries risk groups.     

SEX HORMONE STATUS IN MALE RATS AFTER EXPOSURE TO 50 HZ, 5 MTESLA MAGNETIC FIELD

The question of whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields can affect biological system has attracted attention. The theoretical possibility of such an interaction is often questioned and the site of interaction is unknown. The influence of extremely low frequency magnetic field of 50 Hz, 5 mTesla on sex hormone status was studied. 60 male albino rats were divided into 6 groups and were continuously exposed to 50 Hz, 5 mTesla magnetic field generated by magnetic field chamber for periods of 1, 2 and 4 weeks. For each experimental point, sham treated group was used as a control. Assay of serum testosterone LH, FSH, and prolactin were performed. Serum testosterone showed no significant changes. FSH showed significant increase than sham exposed group after 1 week magnetic field exposure. LH showed significant increase than sham exposed group only after 4 weeks magnetic field exposure, while serum prolactin hormone level showed a significant increase in all magnetic field exposed groups than sham exposed animals. Exposure to 50 Hz, 5 mTesla magnetic field for periods of 1, 2 and 4 weeks has no effect on testosterone level, some changes on FSH and LH serum levels and increase in serum prolactin level.     

50 Hz磁场暴露对大鼠海马单胺类神经递质的影响

目的探讨50 Hz磁场不同强度、不同暴露时间对不同年龄大鼠海马组织中单胺类神经递质含量的影响.方法将学习记忆能力基本同等的32只雄性SD青龄(2～3月)大鼠随机分为4组(50 Hz磁场暴露剂量分别为0.1、1.2、1.6 mT的暴露组和对照组),每组8只.暴露组大鼠每天在游迷宫之前进行磁场暴露2 h,对照组假暴露2 h,连续10 d.按照上述方法,另设1.2mT的暴露组和对照组,连续暴露90d;1.6mT的暴露组和对照组,连续暴露10 d后,停止暴露30 d;大龄(18个月)大鼠0.1 mT暴露组和对照组,连续暴露8个月.采用高效液相色谱电化学法,检测大鼠海马组织中单胺类神经递质[去甲肾上腺素(NE)、肾上腺素(E)、多巴胺(DA)和5-羟色胺(5-HT)]的含量.结果10 d暴露结果显示,1.2和1.6mT组大鼠海马组织中NE、E和DA含量高于对照组(P＜0.05),1.6mT组的5-HT含量高于对照组(P＜0.05).1.2mT组青龄大鼠经过90d的较高强度的磁场暴露后,NE、DA和5-HT含量降低有统计学意义(P＜0.05).1.6mT10 d磁场暴露的青龄大鼠停止磁场暴露30d后,再检测大鼠海马组织的单胺类神经递质,发现NE、E、DA和5-HT含量与对照组比较,差异均没有统计学意义.大龄大鼠0.1 mT磁场暴露8个月,海马组织NE、DA及5-HT含量都在不同程度上低于对照组(P＜0.05),E的变化不明显.结论短期(10d)的磁场暴露对青龄大鼠海马组织中单胺类神经递质含量的影响存在强度效应关系,较高强度(1.2 mT、1.6 mT)的磁场暴露可以提高青龄大鼠海马组织中NE、DA和5-HT的含量,但促进作用是暂时、可恢复的;随着较高强度暴露时间的延长(1.2mT,90d),促进作用可逆转为抑制作用.50 Hz磁场暴露可引起海马组织中单胺类神经递质含量的改变,可能与磁场暴露引起的大鼠学习记忆能力改变有关.     

交变磁场加热治疗肿瘤测控技术的研究进展

介绍了利用交变磁场加热治疗肿瘤中所需的磁场发生装置和温度检测等方向的研究进展。     

Asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of brake lining and asbestos cement workers

Asbestos body (AB) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage samples of 15 brake lining (BL) workers exposed only to chrysotile have been determined and compared with those from 44 asbestos cement (AC) workers extensively exposed to amphiboles. The mean AB concentrations (263 +/- 802 and 842 +/- 2086 AB/ml respectively) for those groups did not differ significantly but were much higher than those found in control groups. Analytical electron microscopy of asbestos body cores showed that in the BL group 95.6% were chrysotile fibres whereas in the AC group amphiboles accounted for 93.1%. The size characteristics of the central fibres differed for chrysotile and amphibole AB, the former being shorter and thinner. Examination of repeated bronchoalveolar lavage samples showed that the mechanisms of clearance of chrysotile fibres do not affect AB concentration for at least 10 months after cessation of exposure. It thus appears that routine counting of ABs in BAL allows the assessment of current or recent occupational exposures to asbestos. Exposures to chrysotile lead to AB concentrations comparable with those encountered in exposures to amphiboles.     

Asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of brake lining and asbestos cement workers.

Asbestos body (AB) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage samples of 15 brake lining (BL) workers exposed only to chrysotile have been determined and compared with those from 44 asbestos cement (AC) workers extensively exposed to amphiboles. The mean AB concentrations (263 +/- 802 and 842 +/- 2086 AB/ml respectively) for those groups did not differ significantly but were much higher than those found in control groups. Analytical electron microscopy of asbestos body cores showed that in the BL group 95.6% were chrysotile fibres whereas in the AC group amphiboles accounted for 93.1%. The size characteristics of the central fibres differed for chrysotile and amphibole AB, the former being shorter and thinner. Examination of repeated bronchoalveolar lavage samples showed that the mechanisms of clearance of chrysotile fibres do not affect AB concentration for at least 10 months after cessation of exposure. It thus appears that routine counting of ABs in BAL allows the assessment of current or recent occupational exposures to asbestos. Exposures to chrysotile lead to AB concentrations comparable with those encountered in exposures to amphiboles.     

Acute and chronic effects of exposure to a 1-mT magnetic field on the cytoskeleton, stress proteins, and proliferation of astroglial cells in culture

This paper reports the effects of exposure to static, sinusoidal (50 Hz), and combined static/sinusoidal magnetic fields on cultured astroglial cells. Confluent primary cultures of astroglial cells were exposed to a 1-mT sinusoidal, static, or combined magnetic field for 1h. In another experiment, cells were exposed to the combined magnetic field for 1, 2, and 4h. The hsp25, hsp60, hsp70, actin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein contents of the astroglial cells were determined by immunoblotting 24h after exposure. No significant differences were seen between control and exposed cells with respect to their contents of these proteins, neither were any changes in cell morphology observed. In a third experiment to determine the effect of a chronic (11-day) exposure to a combined 1-mT static/sinusoidal magnetic field on the proliferation of cultured astroglial cells, no significant differences were seen between control, sham-exposed, or exposed cells. These results suggest that exposure to 1-mT sinusoidal, static, or combined magnetic fields has no significant effects on the stress, cytoskeletal protein levels in, or proliferation of cultured astroglial cells.     

工频磁场对人绒毛滋养细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响

目的研究50Hz工频磁场对人早孕绒毛滋养细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响，探索工频磁场对人生殖健康影响的可能机制。方法体外分离培养人早孕绒毛滋养细胞。以50Hz、0．4mT强度的正弦磁场分别辐照处理6、48、72h，同时设立相应的平行对照组，用实时荧光定量逆转录—聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法检测工频磁场辐照对bcl-2、bax、caspase-3、p53、fas基因表达的影响。结果辐照6、48、72h后bcl-2、bax、caspase-3、p53、fas基因表达变化倍数平均值均接近1，暴露组与对照组的差异均没有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论72h内，0．4nat工频磁场体外辐照不会影响人早孕绒毛滋养细胞bcl-2、bax、caspase-3、p53、fas等凋亡相关基因的表达水平。     

Mercury derived from dental amalgams and neuropsychologic function

There is widespread concern regarding the safety of silver-mercury amalgam dental restorations, yet little evidence to support their harm or safety. We examined whether mercury dental amalgams are adversely associated with cognitive functioning in a cross-sectional sample of healthy working adults. We studied 550 adults, 30-49 years of age, who were not occupationally exposed to mercury. Participants were representative of employees at a major urban medical center. Each participant underwent a neuropsychologic test battery, a structured questionnaire, a modified dental examination, and collection of blood and urine samples. Mercury exposure was assessed using a) urinary mercury concentration (UHg); b) the total number of amalgam surfaces; and c) the number of occlusal amalgam surfaces. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate associations between each marker of mercury exposure and each neuropsychologic test, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Exposure levels were relatively low. The mean UHg was 1.7 micro g/g creatinine (range, 0.09-17.8); the mean total number of amalgam surfaces was 10.6 (range, 0-46) and the mean number of occlusal amalgam surfaces was 6.1 (range, 0-19). No measure of exposure was significantly associated with the scores on any neuropsychologic test in analyses that adjusted for the sampling design and other covariates. In a sample of healthy working adults, mercury exposure derived from dental amalgam restorations was not associated with any detectable deficits in cognitive or fine motor functioning.     

Dental amalgam exposure and urinary mercury levels in children: the New England Children's Amalgam Trial

BACKGROUND: Urinary mercury (U-Hg) excretion is a commonly used biomarker for mercury exposure from dental amalgam restorations. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the most efficient measure of dental amalgam exposure for use in analyses concerning U-Hg in children. METHODS: We analyzed time-sensitive longitudinal amalgam exposure data in children randomized to amalgam restorations (n = 267) during the 5-year New England Children's Amalgam Trial. We calculated 8 measures of amalgam, evaluating current versus cumulative exposure, teeth versus surfaces, and total versus posterior occlusal amalgams. Urine samples collected during follow-up years 3-5 were analyzed for mercury excretion. Multivariate models for current and cumulative U-Hg excretion estimated associations between exposures and U-Hg. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, the average (+/- SD) cumulative exposure was 10.3 +/- 6.1 surfaces and 5.7 +/- 2.9 teeth ever filled with amalgam, corresponding to 30 +/- 21 surface-years. Amalgam measures and U-Hg were moderately correlated. Of amalgam exposure measures, the current total of amalgam surfaces was the most robust predictor of current U-Hg, whereas posterior occlusal surface-years was best for cumulative U-Hg. In multivariate models, each additional amalgam surface present was associated with a 9% increase in current U-Hg, and each additional posterior occlusal surface-year was associated with a 3% increase in cumulative U-Hg excretion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One single measure of amalgam exposure is insufficient. Studies of cumulative effects of mercury from amalgam exposure in children are likely to have improved validity and precision if time-sensitive amalgam exposure measures are used. In contrast, simple counts of current amalgam fillings are adequate to capture amalgam-related current U-Hg.     

低频脉冲磁场对大鼠皮质神经元损伤效应

目的探讨低频脉冲磁场对大鼠皮质神经元的损伤效应及其可能机制。方法体外研究中,分离培养胎鼠大脑皮质神经元,对实验组神经元施加低频脉冲磁场辐射（频率15Hz,平均场强0.1mT）,检测神经元的形态学变化、相对存活率和胞浆内游离Ca^2＋浓度的变化。体内研究中,对实验组大鼠施加与体外研究相同频率和强度的脉冲磁场辐射,检测脑组织形态学的变化。结果实验组神经元胞质内可见髓样体及线粒体聚集现象;实验组神经元相对存活率为81.17%,明显低于对照组（P〈0.01）;胞浆内游离Ca^2＋浓度比对照组升高17.29%（P〈0.01）。实验组大鼠的皮质神经元出现异常改变。结论低频脉冲磁场辐射可导致培养的皮质神经元代谢异常、胞浆内游离Ca^2＋浓度升高及成年大鼠皮质神经元凋亡。     

Determination of mercury in blood,urine and saliva for the biological monitoring of an exposure from amalgam fillings in a group with self-reported adverse health effects

It has been argued that the release of mercury from amalgam fillings is of toxicological relevance. The aim of the study was to determine the internal mercury exposure of two groups differing in their attitude towards possible health hazards by mercury from amalgam fillings. It was to be examined if the two groups differ with regard to the mercury concentration in different biological matrices and to compare the results with current reference values. Blood, urine and saliva samples were analyzed from 40 female subjects who claimed to suffer from serious health damage due to amalgam fillings ("amalgam sensitive subjects"). 43 female control subjects did not claim any association ("amalgam non-sensitive controls"). Mercury was determined by means of cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. Number and surfaces of amalgam fillings were determined by dentists for each subject. Median (range) mercury levels in blood were 2.35 (0.25-13.40) micrograms/l for "amalgam sensitive subjects" and 2.40 (0.25-10.50) micrograms/l for "amalgam non-sensitive controls". In urine, the median mercury concentrations were 1.55 (0.06-14.70) micrograms/l and 1.88 (0.20-8.43) micrograms/g creatinine respectively. No significant differences could be found between the two groups. Mercury levels in blood and urine of the examined subjects were within the range of background levels in the general population including persons with amalgam fillings. Stimulated saliva contained 76.4 (6.7-406.0) micrograms mercury/l in "amalgam sensitive subjects" and 57.0 (2.8-559.0) micrograms mercury/l in controls (not significant). Mercury levels in saliva did not correlate with the concentrations in blood and urine, but merely with the number of amalgam fillings or of the filling surfaces. Mercury in saliva is therefore not recommended for a biological monitoring.     

Characteristics of the response to exercise in professional saturation divers

Exercise testing with measurements of expired minute ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), and carbon dioxide elimination (VCO2) was done in 63 professional saturation divers, in the screening programs for selection of divers, to 10 different experimental and operational saturation dives. Their experience as divers averaged 9.8 yr (range 1-20), and they averaged 276 days (range 5-900) in saturation. The maximal pressure they had ever been exposed to averaged 2.01 MPa (range 0.8-5.1). The divers were compared with a control group of 47 offshore workers and policemen matched for age, height, and smoking habits and with reference values for the general healthy population. There were no significant differences in peak work load achieved, VO2peak and VCO2peak. VE at VO2peak and the corresponding ventilatory equivalents for oxygen uptake (VE(peak)/VO2peak) and carbon dioxide elimination (VE(peak)/VCO2peak) were significantly higher in divers (P less than 0.05), but VE, VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 were not different at lower work loads. VE(peak)/VCO2peak correlated positively with years of diving experience when corrected for age (P less than 0.01). Divers had higher tidal volumes and lower breathing frequencies at ventilations lower than 40% of VE(peak), but maximal tidal volumes were not different. Tidal volume at a VE of 30 liter.min(-1) correlated negatively with FEV1 (P less than 0.05). The results are in agreement with the transient changes in pulmonary function and exercise tolerance demonstrated after a single saturation dive, and indicate that these changes may not be completely reversible.     

Evaluation of the dose of mercury in exposed and control subjects

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to analyse the concentrations of HgU and HgB in three different groups: 122 workers exposed, 18 workers formerly exposed and 196 subjects not occupationally or environmentally exposed to mercury. METHODS: All the subjects filled out a questionnaire concerning personal data, lifestyle, occupational or non-occupational exposure to Hg and medical history. The amalgam fillings area was measured by a standardised method. RESULTS: Urinary mercury excretion was significantly greater in the group of the exposed workers respect to the group of subjects not occupationally exposed (Median value of 8.3 micrograms/g creatinine and the 5 degrees and 95 degrees percentile respectively of 2.66 e 23.50 micrograms/g creatinine against Median value of 1.2 micrograms/g creatinine and the 5 degrees and 95 degrees percentile respectively of 0.18 and 5.42 micrograms/g creatinine). U-Hg in formerly exposed workers were comparable to U-Hg in non-occupationally exposed subjects, with a median value of 1.6 micrograms/g creatinine. B-Hg values were similar in the three groups: the median value was 3.1 micrograms/l in the non-occupationally exposed, 4.0 micrograms/l in the exposed workers and 3.9 micrograms/l in the past exposed. These value were not significantly different. Among the considered variables (amalgam fillings, fish consumption, age, sex, alcohol intake, chewing-gum and smoking) dental amalgam and fish consumption were significantly related with the Hg urinary excretion and the B-Hg levels. This is particularly true considering the subjects altogether: for the exposed workers, indeed, the occupational exposure was the most relevant variable. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present research confirmed that the U-Hg excretion in non-occupationally exposed subjects is influenced by amalgam dental fillings. Furthermore, in our study Hg urinary excretion was significantly related with fish consumption. This fact can be explained, according to several recent experimental human and animal trials, considering that methylmercury contained in fish is partially converted, through breakage of the carbon-Hg bond, into Hg inorganic forms, which accumulate in the kidney and have a urinary excretion pathway.     

Mercury as a serious health hazard for children in gold mining areas

In many developing countries, mercury is used to extract gold from ore in small-scale mining areas. Exposure through mercury in these small-scale mining communities is a serious health hazard, especially to the children living and working there. Many children begin working with immediate contact to mercury from the very early age of seven. In Indonesia and Zimbabwe, 166 children were clinically examined for mercury. The mercury concentration in the blood, urine, and hair was analyzed. Compared to the control groups, the exposed children showed typical symptoms of mercury intoxication, such as ataxia. The children working with mercury had high levels of this substance in the various biomonitors. The exposure derives mainly from the liquid mercury used to bind gold, forming an amalgam. The amalgam is heated and the smelting amalgam releases mercury vapor plus the wanted gold. Mercury vapor in contrast to liquid mercury is highly toxic. This elemental, vaporized mercury is the main form of exposure. Since in over 50 countries children live in small-scale gold mining areas and are exposed in a similar way to mercury, immediate action is needed to reduce this severe chemical health hazard for children. Child labor with hazardous substances such as mercury must be stopped.     

A study of eustachian tube function in fishermen (oikomi-gyohoh) divers

The intranasal pressure at the opening of the auditory tube was compared by Valsalva's method with that of normal adults under atmospheric pressure to find the auditory tubal function of divers often exposed to hyperbaric conditions. It was found that the mean auditory tube opening pressure was higher in professional divers than in normal adults who had never been exposed to hyperbaric pressure. There are two ways of accommodating human auditory tubal ventilation: active opening and passive opening--the former is predominant in adults, the latter in children. The function of professional divers resembles the child type. This finding suggested that they were frequently exposed to a hyperbaric environment, and their auditory tube might not be opened and closed with each swallowing movement under atmospheric pressure, or the auditory tube and the middle ear themselves have been changed into a condition whereby they no longer needed the opening with each swallowing movement might under atmospheric pressure. Moreover, divers take various postures while they are diving, and in rapid dive, they often take a head-down posture. It was obvious that the auditory tube opens less readily in the head-down position. This phenomenon appears to represent the effect of hydrostatic venous pressure in water.     

Assessment of exposure to magnetic fields in occupational settings

OBJECTIVE: It is important to have data about occupational magnetic field intensity to consider the contribution of occupational magnetic field exposure on the human body. We conducted research on exposure to occupational magnetic fields and tried to qualify data on the distribution of magnetic field' intensity in certain general working environments with individual measurements. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed sample research on the exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields of workers in certain occupations and in the working environment. We also assessed the relationship between working environmental magnetic field distribution and individual exposure. RESULTS: Some occupations were found to be exposed to high magnetic fields. We observed that some workspaces, such as the transformer substation, generally had a uniform and high magnetic field measurement but employees were exposed to a lower intensity. We also found that welders were exposed to high magnetic fields at about 600 microT in a very short time but with a geometrical value of 0.08 microT. CONCLUSION: The determination of administrative levels and control levels, not only of the time weighted average of threshold limits or short term exposure limits, but also ceiling limits should be considered. More systematic research is necessary to determine variables such as operating conditions, measuring position, and frequency bands. Also, further studies will be needed to make a job-exposure matrix for the magnetic fields for each occupation type and to combine it with exposure in non-occupational settings such as commuting and ordinary life situations to explore the causal relationship between exposure to magnetic fields and disease.     

Allylmercapturic acid as urinary biomarker of human exposure to allyl chloride.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of urinary mercapturic acids as a biomarker of human exposure to allyl chloride (3-chloropropene) (AC). During three regular shut down periods in a production factory for AC, both types of variables were measured in 136 workers involved in maintenance operations. METHODS: Potential airborne exposure to AC was measured by personal air monitoring in the breathing zone. In total 205 workshifts were evaluated. During 99 workshifts no respiratory protection equipment was used. Mercapturic acid metabolites were measured in urinary extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: During 86 work shifts when no respiratory protection was used the air concentrations of AC were below the Dutch eight hour time weighted average (8 h-TWA) occupational exposure limit (OEL) of AC (3 mg/m3), whereas in 13 workshifts the potential exposure, as measured by personal air monitoring, exceeded the OEL (3.3 to 17 mg/m3). With the aid of GC-MS, 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (HPMA) was identified as a minor and allylmercapturic acid (ALMA) as a major metabolite of AC in urine samples from the maintenance workers exposed to AC. The concentrations of ALMA excreted were in a range from < 25 micrograms/l (detection limit) to 3550 micrograms/l. The increases in urinary ALMA concentrations during the workshifts correlated well with the 8h-TWA air concentrations of AC (r = 0.816, P = 0.0001, n = 39). Based on this correlation, for AC a biological exposure index (BEI) of 352 micrograms ALMA/g creatinine during an eight hour workshift is proposed. In some urine samples unexpectedly high concentrations of ALMA were found. Some of these could definitely be attributed to dermal exposure to AC. In other cases garlic consumption was identified as a confounding factor. CONCLUSION: The mercapturic acid ALMA was identified in urine of workers occupationally exposed to airborne AC and the increase in ALMA concentrations in urine during a workshift correlated well with the 8 h-TWA exposure to AC. Garlic consumption, but not smoking, is a potential confounding factor for this biomarker of human exposure to AC.     

HPNS effects among 18 divers during compression to 360 msw on heliox

Heliox compression deeper than 16 ATA can lead to EEG changes associated with confusion and somnolence. In man the symptoms termed the high pressure neurologic syndrome (HPNS) can also include increased tremor, memory problems, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In a series of 3 dives at NUTEC, a compression profile developed for operational use down to 360 msw was evaluated. In each dive 6 different divers were compressed to 360 msw on heliox. Neuropsychologic and neurophysiologic testing were performed repeatedly. The HPNS testing revealed only mild effects of the compression. Only 3 divers had impairments of more than 2 SD in peripheral motor function compared to their predive average. Memory was impaired periodically in 2 divers. The same was found for perceptual speed and reasoning. Fifty percent of the divers had an increase of more than 2 SD in postural tremor, but that had minimal effect on their motor performance. Six of the 18 divers had an EEG power spectrum with both alpha band inhibition and theta increase. While the performance impairment was most marked around 240 msw, the EEG changes occurred mainly deeper than 300 msw. In only 1 of the 18 divers marked EEG changes, marked tremor increase, and marked cognitive performance impairment were observed at the same time. Although mild HPNS was observed, the divers were little impaired during the compression to 360 msw. The results confirm that using a compression profile with rates decreasing progressively with increasing depth, and with several intermediate stops, provides fit divers at depth. By using standard batteries of HPNS testing we were able to obtain evidence for the acceptability of this compression profile.