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Solvent‐related health effects among construction painters with decreasing exposure
Author(s) -
Kaukiainen Ari,
Riala Riitta,
Martikainen Rami,
Akila Ritva,
Reijula Kari,
Sainio Markku
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20107
Subject(s) - solvent exposure , medicine , mood , affect (linguistics) , occupational exposure , environmental health , psychiatry , psychology , communication
Abstract Background The prevalence of solvent‐related symptoms among construction painters is unclear due to their declining exposure. Methods A questionnaire study was conducted on 1000 male Finnish construction painters and 1000 carpenters. Symptom questions were combined with exposure parameters, medical history, and health behavior. Results Highly significant associations were found between cumulative intensity of long‐term solvent exposure (CE‐LT) and symptoms of memory and concentration, and mood. CE‐LT was a better measure of solvent exposure than the number of years as a painter. Exposure was also associated with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, hypertension and arrhythmia. Recent exposure in the 1990s had no major effect on symptoms. Conclusions The results strengthen the dose‐response relationship of exposure and long‐term neurotoxic effects. No clear association was found between recent exposure and symptoms. Cardiovascular effects in solvent‐exposed construction painters is further suggested. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:627–636, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.