Mixed solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms among active and retired workers. An epidemiological investigation of 3387 men aged 53-75 years

Abstract

In an epidemiological study comprising 3,387 men aged 53 to 75 years, 3303 men with valid questionnaire answers to questions on occupational organic solvents exposure, four cerebral symptoms and current work status were examined. Two-hundred and ninety-five men had been occupationally exposed to mixed organic solvents for a period of 5 years or more. Among them 178 were retired, while 117 were still gainfully employed. The exposed men in both groups had highly significantly more complaints of decreased concentration ability and of memory difficulties. Of the exposed retired men a higher prevalence of headache was found. Among the exposed still employed a trend towards a higher prevalence of dizziness was found. This study was conducted within a cardiovascular study with no focus on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms, a design reducing the risk of overreporting. If overreporting was responsible for the differences found between solvent-exposed and unexposed cases a similar pattern for reporting of acute and chronic symptoms should be expected. This was not the case. Our results support the hypothesis, that occupational exposure to organic solvents for a period of 5 years or more increases the risk of developing persistent memory difficulties and a decrease in concentration ability.