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Solvent-related health effects among construction painters with decreasing exposure
Ari Kaukiainen1, Riitta Riala, Rami Martikainen
1Department of Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. ari.kaukiainen@ttl.fi
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.
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