Clinical neurological findings among car painters exposed to a mixture of organic solvents.

Husman, Kaj; Karli, Pauli

doi:10.5271/sjweh.2638

Cited by 40 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…3 Recent cross sectional epidemiological studies suggest that workers exposed to mixtures of solvents below recommended threshold limit values may have mild but clinically detectable sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathies. [4][5][6]ings have included decreased vibratory sensation in the feet and decreased sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities.46 Quantitative exposure data have not been available to allow dose response Accepted 17 March 1986 relations to be characterised, however. The clinical study reported here was undertaken as part of a comprehensive neurobehavioural evaluation,7 the object of which was to replicate previous cross sectional studies and to examine dose response with quantitative exposure data.…”

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A neurological evaluation of workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents.

Maizlish¹,

Fine²,

Albers³

et al. 1987

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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Workers with long term exposure to mixtures of organic solvents below regulatory limits have been reported to experience mild, but clinically detectable, sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathies. In conjuction with a cross sectional study of behavioural performance a clinical neurological evaluation was conducted among printers and spray painters to examine dose response r-elations. All 240 subjects completed an occupational history and symptom questionnaire and underwent a clinical neurological examination. On average, subjects had been employed on their current job for six years. Classification of solvent exposure for each subject was based on exposed versus non-exposed job titles and observations during an industrial hygiene walk-through or on the measured concentration of solvents in full shift personal air samples. The average full shift solvent concentration was 302 ppm for printing plant workers and 6-13 ppm for workers at other plants. Isopropanol and hexane were the major constituents. Neurological abnormalities consistent with mild polyneuropathy were found in 16% of subjects; none was clinically significant. Exposed/non-exposed comparisons showed slightly higher frequency of symptoms in the exposed subjects which was not related to solvent level. Subjects categorised as exposed during the walkthrough survey also had poorer vibratory sensation measured at the foot and diminished ankle reflexes. In multiple linear regression models, however, controlling for age, sex, alcohol intake, and examiner, no significant (p < 0,05) relation was found between solvent concentration and poor neurological function except for two point discrimination measured at the foot. This investigation has not provided evidence for dose related adverse neurological effects from exposure to moderately low levels of solvent mixtures for a relatively short duration, although this may be due to the shortness of exposure duration, the type of solvent exposure, or to selection factors.

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confidence: 99%

A neurological evaluation of workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents.

Maizlish¹,

Fine²,

Albers³

et al. 1987

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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“…3 " 5 Extrapolation from high doses, however, suggests the possibility of adverse health effects from low-level, chronic exposures to VOCs and their reaction products. As a result, the number of VOC exposure assessments in ambient and indoor settings have increased.…”

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Indoor/Outdoor Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia

Cohen

Ryan

Yanagisawa

et al. 1989

JAPCA

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The Kanawha Valley region of West Virginia which is comprised of Charleston and surrounding communities Is the center of a heavily industrialized area known for its chemical manufacturing. As part of a larger study designed to investigate the Impact of the chemical industry on human exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC), a study of the relationship between indoor and outdoor concentrations was conducted. Thirty-five homes were selected for monitoring from among volunteers; approximately ten in each of three distinct population-industry centers and four outside the Valley to act as controls. Monitoring was performed using passive, badge samplers with a three-week monitoring period. Two separate questionnaires were administered: one for characterization of the residence; and one to characterize source use during monitoring. Participants were also asked to keep a record of their activities with respect to in-home, outdoors and other Indoor environments. Analysis of the samplers was performed by solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography using a flame-ionization detector. Results suggest that indoor VOC concentrations are higher than outdoor concentrations. Additionally, certain ventilation-related parameters were identified that afforded some predictive power for indoor concentrations. No statistically significant differences between regions were identified.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often found to be present in the air that we breathe, possibly compromising health and welfare.

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“…An alternative hypothesis is that workers chronically exposed to solvents are likely to consume more alcohol in response to the withdrawal-type symptoms occurring in the absence of such solvents. Many studies of neuropsychological status among painters did not examine the potentially confounding influence of alcohol consumption [Arlien-Soborg et al, 1979;Gade et al, 1988;Gregersen et al, 1987;Husman and Karli, 1980;Sundell et al, 1977;van Vliet et al, 19871. Although the painters in this study consumed significantly more alcohol than the comparison group, controlling for alcohol did not affect the relationship between solvent exposure and neuropsychological performance.…”

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confidence: 99%