Dose-related cognitive deficits among floor layers with previous heavy exposure to solvents.

• The authors used tests of attention and memory, which are sensitive to the influence of aging, to explore possible adverse effects on cognitive functioning following past heavy exposure to solvent-based glues, with special reference to dose-effect relationships and interactions with the aging process. The study included 41 floor layers and 40 carpenters (referents) who participated in a longitudinal follow-up assessment. The authors assessed cognitive functioning with the following tests: trail-making, color words, and word recall. Higher cumulative exposure was associated with poorer test performance that was related to concept shifting, episodic memory, and speed of congruent and incongruent color naming. The magnitude of the decrements in memory tasks was equivalent to about 20 yr of age-related decline. Dose-effect relationships were seen mainly for contact adhesives, and there was partial evidence for an interaction between exposure and aging.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Age Factors

Aged

Aging

Air Pollutants

Occupational

adverse effects

Cognition Disorders

epidemiology

etiology

Construction Materials

adverse effects

Female

Humans

Longitudinal Studies

Male

Middle Aged

Occupational Diseases

epidemiology

etiology

Occupational Exposure

adverse effects

Psychomotor Performance

Random Allocation

Solvents

administration & dosage

adverse effects

Sweden

epidemiology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)