A multidisciplinary cross-sectional study on solvent-related health effects in painters compared with construction workers |
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| Authors: | M Nasterlack M C Dietz K-H Frank W Hacke H Scherg H Schmittner O Stelzer A Zimber G Triebig |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany, DE;(2) Working Group of the Construction Trades Associations of the Federal Republic of Germany, D-76123 Karlsruhe, Germany, DE;(3) Neurological Hospital of the University of Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany, DE;(4) BASF AG, DOA/WS, H 306, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany Fax: +49 621 6093645 e-mail: michael.nasterlack@basf-ag.de, DE |
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| Abstract: | Objectives: The main aim of the study was to examine possible solvent-associated effects on the nervous system in currently employed
painters. Special attention was paid to evaluate subtle health effects. Materials and methods: A total of 401 painters and 209 construction workers without solvent exposure with at least 10 years of professional experience
were subjected to a clinical, neurological, psychiatric, neuropsychological and neurophysiological examination. For personal
medical and occupational history, standardized questionnaires were used. A quantitative rating of exposure was obtained by
expert rating of the respective occupational history without knowledge of the individual test results. Results: There was no excess of somatic disorders or solvent-associated adverse effects on the nervous system. No distinct effects
of solvent exposure on nerve conduction velocities (NCV) or cognition were found. Discrete NCV deficits in painters were not
considered a sign of subclinical polyneuropathy. Painters, however, reported an excess of specific symptoms that could be
assigned to “mood and behaviour”. The differences between specific and non-specific questionnaire outcomes on the one hand
and the positive correlation between chronic exposure index and symptom scores on the other hand support the hypothesis of
solvent-induced effects. Because data is lacking on past solvent exposure, it is not possible to relate these effects to current
exposure limits. Conclusions: Currently employed painters differ from controls not exposed to solvents with respect to the frequency of certain symptoms
in mood and behaviour. These symptoms are related to life-long solvent exposure rather than to current exposure. At present,
the issue of time course and reversibility or irreversibility of these symptoms cannot be answered. The predictive value for
subsequent neuropsychiatric morbidity remains to be elucidated in follow-up studies.
Received: 5 August 1998 / Accepted: 7 February 1999 |
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| Keywords: | Painters Organic solvents Neurotoxicity Symptoms |
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