Neurobehavioural effects of occupational exposure to organic solvents among construction painters.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Baker, Edward L. Jr. ; Fidler, Anne T. ; Letz RE
• Description:
  A cross sectional study of 101 construction painters was performed to investigate the relation between exposure to mixed organic solvents and changes in central nervous system function. Solvent exposure was estimated using questionnaire data to derive an exposure index (a measure of intensity of exposure) and to estimate the duration and frequency of exposure. Adverse effects on the central nervous system were assessed by self reported questionnaires and eight tests of a computer administered neurobehavioural evaluation system. Factor analysis of both measures of effect yielded factors both biologically plausible and in agreement with other empirical evidence. A consistent positive association was observed between most measures of exposure and the occurrence of neurotoxic symptoms, notably dizziness, nausea, fatigue, problems with arm strength, and feelings of getting "high" from chemicals at work. Associations with exposure were found with the neurobehavioural evaluation system tests of symbol digit substitution and digit span; however, no consistent pattern of effect on neurobehavioural function was observed. This pattern of the occurrence of neurotoxic symptoms without clear evidence of function deficit is consistent with the type 1 toxic central nervous system disorder as classified by the World Health Organisation. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Construction Industry Hazardous Substances Nervous System Nervous System Disorders Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Paint Safety Solvents
• Keywords:
  Behavioral-testing Central-nervous-system-disorders Construction-workers Neurotoxic-effects NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Grant NIOSH-Publication Occupational-exposure Organic-solvents Painting Toxic-effects

  More +
• ISSN:
  0007-1072
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  292-308
• Volume:
  44
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00170853
• Citation:
  Br J Ind Med 1987 May; 44(5):292-308
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1987
• NORA Priority Area:
  Neurotoxic Disorders ; Neurotoxic Effects
• Performing Organization:
  Environmental Sci & Physiology Harvard School of Public Hlth 665 Huntington Ave Boston, Mass 02115
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19830701
• Source Full Name:
  British Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  19860731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fe6707d27acdb7f7226cf8d21d9f00c8d3fca14228d4d2c16d25947bf3ea8d58fd176c4f9973dadaae8333bb42e1081d787561cb7e1fc04c02dbcfa64e78f651
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/185233/cdc_185233_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.42 MB ]