[Cerebral symptoms in 3,387 men and occupational exposure to organic solvents. An epidemiological study]

In The Copenhagen Male Study, an epidemiological study comprising 3,387 men aged 53 to 75 years, 3,303 men with valid questionnaire answers to questions on occupational organic solvents exposure, four cerebral symptoms and current work status were examined. Two hundred and ninety-five men had been occupationally exposed to mixed organic solvents for a period of five years or more. Among the exposed persons, 178 had retired, while 117 were still gainfully employed. The exposed men in both groups had highly significantly more complaints of decreased concentration and defective memory. Among the exposed retired men a higher prevalence of headache was found. Among the exposed men who were still employed a trend towards a higher prevalence of vertigo was found. This study was conducted within a cardiovascular study with no focus on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and cerebral symptoms, a design reducing the risk of overreporting. If overreporting was responsible for the differences found between solvent exposed and unexposed a similar pattern for reporting of acute and chronic symptoms should be expected. This was not the case. Our results support the hypothesis, that occupational exposure to organic solvents for a period of five years or more increases the risk of developing persistent defective memory and decrease in concentration.