Neurobehavioral effects of long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents: two comparable studies

Am J Ind Med. 1992;22(3):325-35. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700220306.

Abstract

Two comparable cross-sectional studies were carried out employing the same methodology but involving two separate solvent-exposed populations (N = 90, N = 144). In each study, solvent-exposed workers were compared with age-matched controls on tests selected from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System and on standardized questionnaire measures of symptomatology and psychiatric state. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the two studies indicating a significant effect on cognitive functioning, after controlling for confounding variables, occurring in those with more than 30 years of exposure. A more specific effect on learning processes was observed in those with more than 10 years of exposure. There were no indications in either study of a solvent-related increase in psychiatric symptoms.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Learning Disabilities / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Occupations
  • Paint / adverse effects
  • Psychological Tests
  • Solvents / adverse effects*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Solvents