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Cognitive impairment and olfactory panic from occupational exposure to VOCs
Author(s) -
Reinhartz Abe
Publication year - 2006
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.20351
Subject(s) - medicine , psychiatry , cognition , audiology , clinical psychology
Background A Canadian government clerical worker in her early thirties developed frontal lobe dysfunction from inhalation of volatile organic compounds off‐gassed during an office renovation. Methods Pulmonary function, bronchial provocation, allergy testing, and a brain (SPECT) scan were performed. Results SPECT scanning showed frontotemporal hypoperfusion and neuropsychologic testing revealed deficits in verbal learning and poor organizational memory. Conclusions A significant component of this worker's impairment was the development of “olfactory panic,” a debilitating aversion to odor accompanied by symptoms of panic. The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal granted entitlement for her cognitive difficulties and olfactory panic as a result of her toxic exposure. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:862–864, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.