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Reduced performance in tests of memory and visual abstraction in seamen exposed to industrial solvents
Author(s) -
Moen B. E.,
Riise T.,
Haga E. M.,
Fossan G. O.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06462.x
Subject(s) - solvent exposure , psychology , confounding , audiology , organic solvent , visual memory , cognition , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , occupational exposure , chemical engineering , engineering
Eighty‐five seamen exposed to a variety of organic solvents and hydrocarbon compounds during their work on chemical tankers were compared with 59 unexposed seamen. Visual memory, auditory memory and visual abstraction were examined 14 days or more after the last solvent exposure. Multivariate analyses were performed to control the effects of confounding factors such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking, cerebral concussions and educational level. Significant correlations were found between increasing solvent exposure and poor results in tests of auditory memory and visual abstraction. These results indicate adverse psychological effects caused by chronic organic solvent exposure.