Exposure to organic solvents--I. A survey on the use of solvents

Abstract

Organic solvent neurotoxicity is a serious occupational health problem in Denmark. To obtain a precise description of the use of solvents, a questionnaire investigation of a random sample of 1000 companies was made. Information about 2000 liquid products, in particular various kinds of degreasers, paints and lacquers, was collected. Approximately two-thirds of all products contained more than 1% of organic solvents, and of these two-thirds contained more than 20%. A total of 93 different solvents were used, ethanol, industrial gasoline, toluene, isopropyl alcohol and acetone being the commonest. Chlorinated hydrocarbons are not often used now, owing to the replacement of organic solvent-based products by water-based products.