Summary
A study was conducted to investigate the existence of a “specific” neurotoxic effect due to long-term exposure to organic solvents. A comparison was made regarding diagnoses, symptoms and other relevant medical data between persons receiving a disability pension on the basis of a neuropsychiatric disorder selected from an exposed (painters) and non-exposed (construction workers) trade organization. Information was collected from their medical files at the occupational health department. Concerning diagnoses and symptoms, no significant differences were found between exposed and non-exposed patients. No indications were found for the existence of a “typical” complex of symptoms associated with exposure to organic solvents among painters in The Netherlands. The number of reported symptoms was not related to the duration of exposure, thus lending no support for a dose-effect relationship. If a neurotoxic effect does exist among Dutch painters, it is of a non-specific type and not clearly distinguishable from other mental disorders.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arlien-Soborg P, Bruhn P, Gyldensted C, Melgaard B (1979) Chronic Painter's syndrome: chronic toxic encephalopathy in house painters. Acta Neurol Scand 60:149–156
Axelson O, Hane M, Hagstedt C (1976) A case-referent study on neuropsychiatric disorders among workers exposed to solvents. Scand J Work Environ Health 2:14–20
Baker EL, Fine LJ (1986) Solvent neurotoxicity: The current evidence. J Occup Med 28:126–129
Cherry N, Waldron HA (1984) The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in solvent workers in Britain. Int J Epid 13:197–200
Cherry N, Hutchins H, Pace T, Waldron HA (1985) Neurobehavioural effects of repeated occupational exposure to toluene and paint-solvents. Br J Ind Med 42:291–300
Elofsson SA, Gamberale F, Hindmarsh T, Iregren A, Isaksson A, Johnsson I, Knave B, Lydahl E, Mindus P, Persson HE, Philipson B, Steby M, Struwe G, Söderman E, Wennberg A, Widén L (1980) Exposure to organic solvents: a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation on occupationally exposed car and industrial spray painters with special reference to the nervous system. Scand J Work Environ Health 6:239–273
Grasso P, Sharratt M, Davies DM, Irvine D (1984) Neurophysiological and psychological disorders and occupational exposure to organic solvents. Fd Chem Toxic 22:819–852
Husman K (1980) Symptoms of car painters with long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents. Scand J Work Environ Health 6:19–32
Juntunen J, Hupli V, Hernberg S, Luisto M (1980) Neurological picture of organic solvent poisoning in industry. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 46:219–231
Juntunen J (1984) Organic solvent intoxication in occupational neurology. Acta Neurol Scand [Suppl 69] 98:105–119
Knave B, Anshelm Olson B, Elofsson S, Gamberale F, Isaksson A, Mindus P, Persson HE, Struwe G, Wennberg A, Westerholm P (1978) Long-term exposure to jet fuel. II. A cross-sectional epidemiological investigation on occupational exposed industrial workers with special reference to the nervous system. Scand J Work Environ Health 4:19–45
Lilienfeld AM, Lilienfeld DE (1980) Foundations of epidemiology, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York Oxford
Mikkelsen S (1980) A cohort study of disability pension and death among painters with special regard to disabling presenile dementia as an occupational disease. Scand J Soc Med [Suppl] 16:34–43
Olsen J, Sabroe S (1980) A case-referent study of neuropsychiatric disorders among workers exposed to solvents in the Danish wood and furniture industry. Scand J Soc Med [Suppl] 16:44–49
Orbaek P, Risberg J, Rosen I, Haeger-Aronsen B, Hagstadius S, Hjortsberg U, Regnell G, Rehnström S, Svensson K, Wellinder H (1985) Effects of long-term exposure to solvents in the paint industry. A cross sectional epidemiologic study with clinical and laboratory methods. Scand J Work Environ Health [Suppl 2] 11
Riala R, Kalliokoski P, Pyy L, Wickström G (1984) Solvent exposure in construction and maintenance painting. Scand J Work Environ Health 10:263–266
Scheffers TML, Jongeneelen FJ (1982) Arbeidshygiënisch onderzoek naar de blootstelling van onderhoudsschilders aan oplosmiddelen. BGBouw-publikatie
Schlesselman JJ (1982) Case-control studies. Design, conduct, analysis. Oxford University Press, New York
Struwe G, Wennberg A (1983) Psychiatric and neurological symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to organic solvents — results of a differential epidemiological study. Acta Psychiat Scand [Suppl] 67:68–80
Triebig G, Gröner P, Valentin H (1986) Berufskrankheiten bei Malern, Anstreichern und Lackierern. Retrospektive empirisch-kasuistische Analyse von Erkrankungsfällen der Jahre 1964–1984. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Präventivmed 21:81–86
Waldron HA (1986) Solvents and the brain. Br J Ind Med 43:73–74
World Health Organisation Environmental Health 6 (1985) Chronic effects of organic solvents on the central nervous system. WHO, Copenhagen
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Vliet, C., Swaen, G.M.H., Slangen, J.J.M. et al. The organic solvent syndrome. Int Arch Occup Environ Heath 59, 493–501 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377844
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00377844