| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Bergendorf, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Cancerframkallande ämnen i tätortsluft –Personlig exponering ochbakgrundsmätningar i Malmö 2008
- 2010
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Den allmänna befolkningens personliga exponering i Malmö för några cancerframkallandeämnen undersöktes under perioden september-december 2008. Totalt 61 mätningargenomfördes på 41 slumpmässigt utvalda individer med personburna passiva provtagare förbensen, 1,3-butadien, formaldehyd, samt kvävedioxid, i sjudygnsperioder. Upprepademätningar gjordes på 20 personer. Parallellt med de personburna mätningarna utfördesstationära mätningar på två platser i Malmö, en på Rådhustaket, som anses representeraMalmös urbana bakgrund, samt en i gatunivå på Dalaplan.Utöver detta utfördes även pumpad tvådygnsprovtagning av partiklar (PM2.5) ochpolyaromatiska kolväten (PAH) stationärt inomhus i vardagsrum samt vid den urbanabakgrundsstationen. PAH-mätningarna presenteras nedan som nivåer av bens(a)pyren.Deltagarfrekvensen var 63 %. Medianresultat från studien i Malmö presenteras i nedanståendetabell:Ämne Personburnamätningar/vardagsrumsmätningarUtomhusmätningarRådhustaket DalaplanBensen(μg/m3)1,0 0,65 1,11,3-Butadien(μg/m3)0,31 0,05 0,12Formaldehyd(μg/m3)12 3,4 3,0Kvävedioxid(μg/m3)15 20 28Bens(a)pyren(pg/m3) 14 24 -PM2.5(μg/m3) 5,8 5,3 -Denpersonliga exponeringen för bensen korrelerade med halten av butadien, inga andraämnen korrelerade med varandra.Den personliga exponeringen för bensen och butadien korrelerade med både egen rökning ochpassiv rökning. Det fanns också samband mellan butadien och tid i egen bostad.Kvävedioxidhalterna korrelerade till innehav av gasspis. Bens(a)pyren mätt i urban bakgrundkorrelerade med både PM2.5 och summa PAH. För inomhusmätningarna korrelerade summaPAH med både PM2.5 och bens(a)pyren.Det fanns inga korrelationer mellan de parallella bakgrundsmätningarna och medelhalter avde personburna exponeringarna för något av de studerade ämnena.Vid en jämförelse med 2003 års mätning har de personburna halterna av bensen och butadiensjunkit signifikant. För kvävedioxid visar denna undersökning att de stationärabakgrundshalterna har sjunkit tydligt vilket också konfirmeras med mätningar genomförda avMalmö kommun, medan de personburna nivåerna ligger på samma nivåer.Denna studie är en del i Naturvårdsverkets hälsorelaterade miljöövervakning, luft, ochfinansieras av Naturvårdsverket. Liknande undersökning har tidigare genomförts i Malmö2003 och i Göteborg, Stockholm, Umeå och Lindesberg mellan 2000 och 2007.
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| 3. |
- de Vocht, F, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure to inhalable dust and its cyclohexane soluble fraction since the 1970s in the rubber manufacturing industry in the European Union
- 2008
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1470-7926 .- 1351-0711. ; 65:6, s. 384-391
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: As exposures to airborne particulates in the European rubber industry might still be causing genotoxic risks, it is important to assess trends in levels of inhalable dust and its cyclohexane soluble fraction (CSF) between the 1970s and 2003. Methods: 13 380 inhalable and 816 respirable dust and 5657 CSF measurements, collected within the framework of the European Union Concerted Action EXASRUB, were analysed. Hierarchical mixed effects models were applied to assess exposure trends, taking into account between-factory, between-worker/location and day-to-day variances. Results: Geometric mean levels of inhalable dust and CSF exposure changed by 24% (range -5.8 to +2.9%) and -3% (range -8.6 to 0%) per year, respectively. Significant reductions in inhalable dust concentrations were found in all countries for handling of crude materials and mixing and milling (-7% to -4% per year), as well as for miscellaneous workers (-11% to -5% per year), while significant CSF exposure reductions were found in curing (-8.6% per year) and maintenance and engineering departments (-5.4% per year). Conclusion: These analyses suggest that on average exposure levels of inhalable dust and its CSF in the European rubber manufacturing industry have steadily declined. Most likely genotoxic risks have also lessened over time since exposure levels have decreased and the most toxic chemicals have been replaced. In addition to differences in exposure reductions and levels among various stages of the production process, large differences across countries were noted. These patterns should be taken into account in retrospective assessment of exposure for epidemiological studies assessing cancer risk in the rubber industry.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(författare)
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Levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, symptoms and immunologic markers in vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 82, s. 131-137
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) levels in contemporary Swedish vulcanization workers and in controls. These levels were used as an index substance for vulcanization fumes, as well as a biomarker for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The risk of symptoms and changed levels of immunologic markers were investigated in relation to the 1-HP levels. METHODS: Included in the study were 163 exposed workers and 106 controls. Medical and occupational histories were obtained by structured interviews. Symptoms were recorded and immunologic markers analysed in blood by routine analysis methods. Levels of 1-HP were determined by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. RESULTS: The highest levels of 1-HP were found among exposed workers using injection and compression vulcanization and lower levels were found among exposed workers vulcanizing with salt bath, hot air, microwaves or fluid-bed. Compared to controls, exposed workers had increased risks of eye symptoms, nosebleeds, burning and dry throat, hoarseness, severe dry cough, nausea and headache. Furthermore, exposed workers had elevated levels of neutrophils and total IgG (immunoglobulin subclass G). However, only for severe dry cough an evident exposure-response relationship with urinary 1-HP levels was found. CONCLUSIONS: This work clearly shows increased levels of urinary 1-HP in Swedish vulcanization workers. Furthermore, it demonstrates an increased risk of several symptoms and elevated levels of some immunologic markers in these workers. However, no obvious exposure-response relationships were found.
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| 6. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(författare)
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Levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) and effect modification of polymorphisms of glutathione-related genes in vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries.
- 2007
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 80:7, s. 589-598
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Workers in the rubber industry are exposed to a complex mixture of hazardous substances and have increased risk of developing several diseases. However, there is no up to date survey examining the exposure in the Swedish rubber industry. One of the toxic compounds in the industry is carbon disulfide (CS2), which is biotransformed to 2-thiothiazolidine- 4carboxylic acid (TTCA). TTCA is used as a biomarker of CS2 exposure, but there seem to exist inter- and intraindividual variability; which could partly be due to genetic variation. The aim of the study was to determine TTCA levels and the modifying effects of glutathione-related genes in a group of Swedish rubber workers. Methods Urine was collected from both exposed workers and controls during the last 4 h of the work shift. The level of TTCA in urine was analyzed by liquid chromatograpy tandem mass spectrometry. Genotyping of the single nucleotide polymorphisms GCLC-129, GCLM-588, GSTA1-52, GSTP1-105 and GSTP1-114 and deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were performed with real-time PCR or ordinary PCR and subsequent agarose electrophoresis. Results The highest levels of TTCA were found among workers curing with salt bath, hot air, microwaves or Xuid-bed, and lower levels were found among workers curing with injection and compression molding. Furthermore, with respect to GSTM1 and GSTT1 there were statistically significant differences in TTCA-levels between genotypes among exposed workers but not among controls. The other five polymorphisms had no impact on the TTCA levels. Conclusions The present study demonstrates relatively high levels of TTCA in urine from Swedish rubber workers. Polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 modify the levels.
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| 7. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(författare)
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N-nitrosamines in the southern Swedish rubber industries - exposure, health effects, and immunologic markers
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 35:3, s. 11-203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to evaluate the air levels of N-nitrosamines in the Swedish rubber industry and (ii) to estimate the risk of symptoms and changed levels of immunologic markers in relation to these levels.METHODS: Using adsorption tubes, we collected samples of N-nitrosamines in the breathing zone of 96 rubber workers and analyzed them with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Of these 96 workers, 66 were included in a medical examination and blood analysis together with an additional 106 rubber workers and 118 unexposed subjects. Medical and occupational histories were obtained in structured interviews, symptoms were recorded and immunologic markers analyzed in blood.RESULTS: The sum of N-nitrosamines ranged from less than the limit of detection to 36 microg/m (3)and differed with the vulcanization (ie, curing process) method used. Workers vulcanizing with a salt bath had the highest levels (median 4.2 microg/m (3)). Compared to the unexposed subjects, the rubber workers had an increased risk of nosebleeds, eye and throat symptoms, hoarseness, cough, nausea, headache, and changed levels of eosinophils and total immunoglobulin G (IgG). However, we found no clear exposure-response relationship with the symptoms or the immunologic markers studied.CONCLUSIONS: High levels of N-nitrosamines were found and must be lowered considerably in order to decrease the risk of cancer. There is a need for an occupational exposure limit for N-nitrosamines in Sweden. The lack of exposure-response relationships with the subacute symptoms examined in this study may be due to a healthy-worker selection or to the possibility that the symptoms are caused by an exposure not co-varying with N-nitrosamines.
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| 8. |
- Landberg, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison and Evaluation of Multiple Users' Usage of the Exposure and Risk Tool : Stoffenmanager 5.1
- 2015
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Ingår i: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0003-4878 .- 1475-3162. ; 59:7, s. 821-835
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stoffenmanager is an exposure and risk assessment tool that has a control banding part, with risk bands as outcome and a quantitative exposure assessment part, with the 90th percentile of the predicted exposure as a default outcome. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether multiple users of Stoffenmanager came to the same result when modelling the same scenarios. Other aims were to investigate the differences between outcomes of the control banding part with the measured risk quota and to evaluate the conservatism of the tool by testing whether the 90th percentiles are above the measured median exposures. We investigated airborne exposures at companies in four different types of industry: wood, printing, metal foundry, and spray painting. Three scenarios were modelled and measured, when possible, at each company. When modelled, 13 users visited each company on the same occasion creating individual assessments. Consensus assessments were also modelled for each scenario by six occupational hygienists. The multiple users' outcomes were often spread over two risk bands in the control banding part, and the differences in the quantitative exposure outcomes for the highest and lowest assessments per scenario varied between a factor 2 and 100. Four parameters were difficult for the users to assess and had a large impact on the outcome: type of task, breathing zone, personal protection, and control measures. Only two scenarios had a higher measured risk quota than predicted by the control banding part, also two scenarios had slightly higher measured median exposure value than modelled consensus in the quantitative exposure assessment part. Hence, the variability between users was large but the model performed well.
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| 9. |
- Nilsson, Patrik T., et al.
(författare)
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Emissions into the air from bitumen and rubber bitumen - Implications for asphalt workers' exposure
- 2018
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Ingår i: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2398-7308 .- 2398-7316. ; 62:7, s. 828-839
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The risk among asphalt workers of developing adverse health effects may increase due to their occupational exposure. One area of special concern arises when rubber granules are mixed into bitumen to enhance asphalt properties. This research characterizes and compares bitumen and rubber bitumen regarding the emissions of and workers' exposure to particulates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzothiazole. A laboratory and a field study were carried out. In the laboratory, two types of bitumen, one with and one without rubber, were heated up to two temperatures (140°C and 160°C). The concentrations and chemical compositions of the emissions were determined. In the field at asphalt work sites, both emissions and worker exposure measurements were performed. The methods applied included direct-reading sampling techniques next to the asphalt work area and personal sampling techniques on asphalt workers. The exposure measurements on asphalt workers for respirable dust, total dust, particle number and mass, and total PAH concentrations showed similar concentrations when both standard and rubber bitumen were used. The asphalt-surfacing machine operators were the workers with the highest observed exposure followed by the screed operators and roller drivers. Both laboratory and field measurements showed higher concentrations of benzothiazole when rubber bitumen was used, up to 7.5 times higher in the laboratory. The levels of naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene, and total particles were lower for both types compared with the Swedish occupational exposure limits, 8-h time weighted average concentrations. Benzo(a)pyrene exceeded however the health-based guideline value given by the WHO for both types of bitumen. The study concludes that several air pollutants such as benzothiazole and PAHs are emitted into the air during asphalt work, but it is not evident if exposure to rubber bitumen possesses a higher risk than exposure to standard bitumen in terms of asphalt worker exposure.
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| 10. |
- Xu, Yiyi, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure, respiratory symptoms, lung function and inflammation response of road-paving asphalt workers
- 2018
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 75:7, s. 494-500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Controversy exists as to the health effects of exposure to asphalt and crumb rubber modified (CRM) asphalt, which contains recycled rubber tyres. Objective To assess exposures and effects on airway symptoms, lung function and inflammation biomarkers in conventional and CRM asphalt road pavers. Methods 116 conventional asphalt workers, 51 CRM asphalt workers and 100 controls were investigated. A repeated-measures analysis included 31 workers paving with both types of asphalt. Exposure to dust, nitrosamines, benzothiazole and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) was measured in worksites. Self-reported symptoms, spirometry test and blood sampling were conducted prework and postwork. Symptoms were further collected during off-season for asphalt paving. Results Dust, PAHs and nitrosamine exposure was highly varied, without difference between conventional and CRM asphalt workers. Benzothiazole was higher in CRM asphalt workers (p<0.001). Higher proportions of asphalt workers than controls reported eye symptoms with onset in the current job. Decreased lung function from preworking to postworking was found in CRM asphalt workers and controls. Preworking interleukin-8 was higher in CRM asphalt workers than in the controls, followed by a decrement after 4days of working. No differences in any studied effects were found between conventional and CRM asphalt paving. Conclusion CRM asphalt workers are exposed to higher benzothiazole. Further studies are needed to identify the source of nitrosamines in conventional asphalt. Mild decrease in lung function in CRM asphalt workers and work-related eye symptoms in both asphalt workers were observed. However, our study did not find strong evidence for severe respiratory symptoms and inflammation response among asphalt workers.
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| 11. |
- Åbjörnsson, Gunnel, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term follow-up of psychological distress, social functioning, and coping style in treated and untreated patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy
- 1998
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1536-5948. ; 40:9, s. 801-807
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients with organic solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy (TE) (n = 13) were followed up seven years after the application of an intervention program. They were also compared with untreated TE patients diagnosed at the same time (n = 26) and with unexposed referents (n = 39). Psychological distress, social function, and coping ability and style were measured with the Symptom Checklist-90, Interview Schedule of Social Interaction, and Sense of Coherence and Strategies to Handle Stress questionnaires. Both TE groups had unchanged function in neuropsychological tests. Members of the treated group had improved their social functioning and reduced their mental stress but were not any better than the untreated patients. Compared with referents, the TE patients continued to live with increased psychological distress and used predominantly emotionally focused strategies to cope with their problems. This can be a cause for concern in family life and can also make gainful work impossible.
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| 12. |
- Örbaek, Palle, et al.
(författare)
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Suprathreshold intensity and annoyance reactions in experimental challenge to toluene and n-butyl acetate among subjects with long-term solvent exposure
- 1998
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 24:5, s. 432-438
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study explores reactions to low-level chemical challenge, aiming at the development of test procedures for assessing individual sensitivity to smells and chemicals. METHODS: Subjects with symptoms and neuropsychological test results compatible with toxic encephalopathy type 2A (TE-2A) and 2B (TE-2B) and unexposed referents (N=12 in each group) were challenged in an exposure chamber. Toluene exposure was started at 11 mg/m3, and it followed a geometric progression scale with a ratio of 2, until reaching 180 mg/m3. In a counterbalanced design, the subjects were similarly exposed to n-butyl acetate starting at a concentration of 14 mg/m3 and increasing to 228 mg/m3. At each exposure level, smell intensity was measured on a 7-step category scale. Mucous membrane irritation and annoyance reactions were rated on visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Both TE groups showed high sensitivity to the low-level solvent challenge, which provoked immediate annoyance and fatigue reactions. In particular the TE-2B group related smell intensity to various annoyance dimensions during exposure to n-butyl acetate, a pattern not observed during toluene exposure. The reference group clearly separated smell intensity and annoyance reactions in both exposure conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The reaction of the TE cases suggests that chemical sensitivity can be distinguished from normal annoyance reactions by the inability to differentiate between smell intensity and an experience of irritation from mucous membranes in air concentrations well below the trigeminal irritation threshold level. Fatigue coreactivity in challenges to single substances below the neurotoxic level may also be important.
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| 13. |
- Österberg, Kai, et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of neuropsychological tests for the assessment of chronic toxic encephalopathy
- 2000
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Ingår i: American Journal of Industrial Medicine. - 0271-3586. ; 38:6, s. 666-680
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: From the viewpoint of the clinical neuropsychologist, it is not evident if the detection of solvent induced toxic encephalopathy (TE) could be optimized by a modification of the traditional test batteries, adding tests covering new dimensions or monitoring further functional domains. METHODS: To clarify this issue, TE patients were re-examined with (a) the tests traditionally used in screening for TE and (b) some tests hitherto less utilized within neurotoxicology, involving complex attention and frontal lobe functioning. RESULTS: The results do not indicate that tests of the latter category would be more sensitive to TE than the tests traditionally used. Using an optimized core battery, compiled of tests from both categories, the sensitivity and specificity levels reached a maximum of around 0.7 when using as criterion the reproduction of a subnormal test profile (TE type 2B). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of several traditional and a few newer tests is suggested to optimize the detection of TE. Repeated assessments over time are also recommended.
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| 14. |
- Österberg, Kai, et al.
(författare)
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Annoyance and performance during the experimental chemical challenge of subjects with multiple chemical sensitivity.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 29:1, s. 40-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study explored the subjective reactions and psychological test performance of smell-intolerant subjects during consecutive challenges to chemicals with contrasting neurotoxic properties. METHODS: Women with symptoms compatible with multiple chemical sensitivity (N=10) and healthy referents (N=20) were individually challenged in an exposure chamber. All the subjects attended two separate 2-hour sessions of exposure to n-butyl acetate and toluene, in counterbalanced sequence. After an initial phase without exposure, air concentrations were increased in steps ranging from 3.6 to 57 mg/m3 for n-butyl acetate and from 11 to 180 mg/m3 for toluene. The response measures comprised ratings of annoyance and smell intensity and also neurobehavioral test performance. RESULTS: Both groups showed an increase in annoyance ratings and a decrease in test performance in the initial unexposed chamber phase and also in the first phase of the chemical exposure, these results indicating slight immediate expectancy or "suggestion" effects. During the six chamber phases, the ratings of mucous membrane irritation and fatigue showed a steeper increase in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity than among the referents, while the ratings of smell intensity and smell annoyance were similar in the two groups. A reduction in test performance was observed during the chamber phases, particularly in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. No relation was found between the ratings or performance and chemical substance. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger immediate expectancy or "suggestion" reactions than normal did not characterize the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. This group showed a stronger than normal gradual build-up of fatigue, mucous membrane irritation, and reduced performance during chemical exposure. The results offer the most support to an irritative basis for multiple chemical sensitivity.
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| 15. |
- Österberg, Kai, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological test performance during experimental challenge to toluene and n-butyl acetate in cases of solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy
- 2000
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140. ; 26:3, s. 219-226
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study determined whether performance in neurobehavioral tests deteriorates during subjectively annoying chemical challenge below known neurotoxic thresholds among persons with toxic encephalopathy with subjective hypersensitivity to chemicals. METHODS: Subjects with symptoms and previous neuropsychological test results compatible with toxic encephalopathy (TE) of either type 2A (N=12) or 2B (N=12) and unexposed referents (N=12) were challenged in an exposure chamber. In a counterbalanced design, the subjects were exposed on 2 occasions to increasing air concentrations of n-butyl acetate and toluene at levels well below the thresholds for neurotoxic effects. Attention and motor speed tests were given (i) in room air outside the chamber before the challenge, (ii) in room air inside the chamber before the exposure, (iii) at 12 ppm (44 or 56 mg/m3), and (iv) at 48 ppm (at 180 or 228 mg/m3). RESULTS: For both substances the TE groups showed a slight increase (deterioration) in the simple reaction-time task during chemical exposure, but not in the complex reaction-time task or in the digit symbol test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Contrary to reference subjects, the TE subjects did not show any improvement or learning effect in the digit symbol test over the chamber phases. n-Butyl acetate tended to affect cognitive functioning more obviously than toluene did. Suggestion or expectancy effects were not observed in any group in the clean-air baseline conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results do not support the notion that men with subjective hypersensitivity to chemicals would be more affected than healthy men regarding cognitive functioning during annoying solvent exposure below thresholds for acute neurotoxic effects.
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