Alterations in cognitive and psychological functioning after organic solvent exposure

Article Abstract:

Exposure to organic solvents has been associated with changes in personality and cognition (ability to think, perceive, reason and remember). Organic solvents (substances able to dissolve non-water-soluble material) are often found in dyes, paints, varnishes, as well as in cleaning agents. Organic solvents are used to make plastics, textiles, and agricultural products. A study was undertaken to assess cognitive function in workers exposed to organic solvents; to determine if certain factors can predict cognitive performance; and to determine the relationship between subjective complaints and performance test results. Thirty-two workers who had been exposed to organic solvents were studied, and compared with a control group of 32 blue collar workers, matched in age and education, but with no history of exposure. All subjects were evaluated on learning and memory, visuospatial (immediate and delayed recall of visual designs), attention and mental flexibility, psychomotor speed, and general intelligence. A test to determine for malingering was also administered; no workers were found to be malingerers. Both groups were similar in general intelligence scores. The exposure group scored significantly lower than the controls on learning and memory, visuospatial, psychomotor speed and manual dexterity, and attention and mental flexibility. Personality testing revealed the exposed workers had significant levels of depression, anxiety, organic body concerns, and thinking disturbances. Lowered testing on learning and memory were associated with peak exposure and cacosmia (discomfort experienced in the presence of certain odors); poorer visuospatial ability was associated with a history of peak exposure. Peak exposure was usually a result of an accident during which the worker was exposed suddenly and briefly to higher than normal levels of the solvent. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Occupational diseases, Working class, Industrial toxicology

---

A distinct pattern of personality disturbance following exposure to mixtures of organic solvents

Article Abstract:

A group of 22 men who had been exposed to various organic solvents were given the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), a test to measure psychiatric symptoms. The MMPI is composed of 566 true-or-false statements that are grouped into 10 clusters or scales which measure such issues as excessive bodily concern, depression, paranoia, anxiety, mental confusion. Subjects examined in this study were patients referred to the Occupational Medicine Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine over a two-year period who had a history of exposure to organic solvents. More than 90 percent of these workers had significant and distinctive changes in their MMPI scores indicating psychopathology. These patients tended to have a high rate of bodily disturbances, anxiety, depression, social isolation and fear of losing control. This pattern was similar to a group of prisoners of war who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of the post-traumatic stress group had also been exposed to organic solvents such as Agent Orange. There is data to support a correlation between the degree of psychopathological deviation in the patients exposed to organic solvents and the length and level of exposure. MMPI appears to be a useful method for measuring and assessing the degree of psychiatric disturbance in patients who have been exposed to neurotoxins in the environment.

Measurement, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory, Agent Orange, Pittsburgh, University of. School of Medicine

---

Occupational exposure to estrogens and screening for health effects

Article Abstract:

Although the production of pharmaceuticals containing estrogen meets high standards, statistically significant differences between exposed and unexposed groups in free testosterone and sex-hormone-binding globulin is shown. The consequences for health are not exactly known, but the effects seem undesirable.

Pharmaceutical preparations, Diseases, Estrogen, Estrogens, Pharmacists

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Relationship between diabetes control and pulmonary function in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Effective treatment of bulimia with fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in a patient with type I diabetes mellitus
• Abstracts: Administration complement and managerial efficiency in South Carolina hospitals. Roles of hospital administrators in South Carolina
• Abstracts: Electronic fetal monitoring then and now. Risk management and electronic fetal monitoring: decreasing risk of adverse outcomes and liability exposure
• Abstracts: Occupational Medicine Forum: Cancer and coal tar epoxy resins. Therapeutic narcotics in the workplace
• Abstracts: Stimulation of glycosaminoglycan synthesis in cultured human dermal fibroblasts by interleukin 1. Induction of hyaluronic acid synthesis by natural and recombinant interleukin 1s and synthetic interleukin 1 beta peptide 163-171

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.