Development of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in Laborers after Acute Gasoline Fume Exposure in an Underground Tunneling Operation

Abstract

In this article, investigators report on the presence and nature of chemical sensitivities and other indices of illness in a cohort of workers excavating a new subway tunnel located under a former gasoline station. The workers were exposed to gasoline fumes for up to approximately 2 mo when they inadvertently dug into soil contaminated by gasoline. The cohort was unique in several ways: (a) contact with gasoline was made by the workers at a time when no one had complained of multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome; (b) all were males of low socioeconomic status; (c) the exposure was well documented; (d) the cohort could be considered "naive" because, at the time of the study, the men were not members of support groups and were not being seen by clinical ecologists, and they were not labeled, either by self or others, as having multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome or any related diagnosis; and (e) at the time of interview, all workers we contacted appeared to be either gainfully employed or laid off temporarily and seeking gainful employment. We explored the health status of the workers at two different times: (1) soon after the tunnel was closed as a result of high, measured benzene-exposure levels and (2) 10-13 mo after the tunnel was closed. The workers were chronically overexposed to gasoline fumes, after which approximately one-fourth (26.7%) of our random sample of relatively naive, low-socioeconomic-status male laborers-although neither disabled nor generally litigious-reported the new onset of chemical hypersensitivities and other characteristics that fit conservative criteria for multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome.

Cognitive impairment and olfactory panic from occupational exposure to VOCs

“…Another case series described three patients who exhibited phobic avoidance to odor after occupational organic solvent exposures were identified [Dager et al, 1987]. Development of chemical sensitivity was described in a group of laborers after acute gasoline fume exposure in an underground tunneling operation [Davidoff et al, 1998].…”

Recent Developments in Benzene Risk Assessment

“…It is of interest that underground tunneling operators excavating under a former gasoline station developed a multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome (Davidoff et al, 1998). The contribution of benzene to this latter disorder is not known.…”

A Proposed Care Model for Complex Chronic Condition: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

“…In the medical literature, occupational exposure has been reported to lead to the development of multiple chemical sensitivity, for example 13% of 160 solvent exposed workers (Gyntelberg et al 1986). Multiple chemical sensitivity has also developed in workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides (Cone and Sult 1992;Tabershaw and Cooper 1966) and tunnel workers exposed to gasoline contaminated soil (Davidoff et al 1998). However, in at least half the patients seen at NSEHC there is no identifiable toxic exposure.…”