Reaction time changes among steel workers exposed to solvent vapors

Abstract

A longitudinal study was performed to investigate the behavioral changes associated with occupational exposure to organic solvents. An initial simple reaction time (SRT) test was performed on a group of steel workers who were exposed to vapor concentrations of solvents clearly exceeding threshold limit values (TLVs). A second SRT measurement was made six months following the completion of major improvements in the hygiene quality of the work environment which resulted in a reduction of exposure levels to 20% of the TLVs valid at the time. Approximately fifteen months after this measurement, a final SRT test was performed. The workers' performance on the SRT test improved over the three measurements. At the first measurement occasion SRT was found to be related to the degree of exposure, while no such relation could be observed on the following measurement occasions. The results indicate that the workers' central nervous functioning had been negatively affected by solvent exposure and that this effect was at least partially reversible in nature; they thus confirm the importance of changes which enhance the hygienic quality of the work environment.

Chronic toxic encephalopathy in solvent‐exposed painters in denmark 1976–1980: Clinical cases and social consequences after a 5‐year follow‐up

“…The first case reports describing a relationship between long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents and the develoment of demential and neurasthenic symptoms were published as early as the latter half of the 19th century [Delpech, 1863;Koster, 1899a,b;Laudenheimer, 18991. Since that time several cases have been published [Knabenhans, 1941;BorbCly, 1946;Mikkelsen et al, 19781, and new ones continue to be reported [Axelson, 1976;Arlien-S$borg et al, 19791. This relationship is supported by a number of epidemiological studies. In crosssectional studies of workers, standardized psychological tests have demonstrated that in exposed workers, intellectual functions were impaired compared to nonexposed workers [Grandjean et al, 1955;Gamberale and Svensson, 1974;Gamberale et al, 1976;Hiinninen et al, 1976;Lindstrom et al, 1976;Hane et al, 1977;Knave et al, 1978;Elofsson et al, 1980;Anshelm-Olson et al, 1979;Gregersen et al, 19841.…”

Behavioral methods and organic solvents: questions and consequences.

“…Our research group performed such studies with workers in the plastic boat industry who were exposed to styrene (25), workers in the steel industry exposed mainly to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) (26), and workers in the paint manufacturing industry exposed to solvent mixtures (27).…”