Time may not fully attenuate solvent-associated cognitive deficits in highly exposed workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Neuroscience
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Occupational solvent exposure is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline.
• Understanding the long-term effects of solvent exposure on cognition is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lifetime occupational solvent exposure (dose and timing) and cognitive function in retired French utility workers.

Main Methods:

• Cognitive testing was performed on 2,143 retirees from the GAZEL cohort.
• Lifetime exposure to chlorinated solvents, petroleum solvents, and benzene was assessed using a job exposure matrix.
• Statistical models were used to evaluate the impact of solvent dose, timing of last exposure, and combined metrics on cognitive impairment risk.

Main Results:

• High solvent exposure was significantly associated with poorer cognitive performance across multiple tests.
• Chlorinated solvent exposure was linked to impairment in tests including the Mini-Mental State Examination and Digit Symbol Substitution Test.
• The highest risk for cognitive deficits was observed in individuals with high lifetime exposure and recent exposure (12-30 years prior).

Conclusions:

• Cognitive impairment risk may not fully attenuate over time for workers with high solvent exposure.
• Findings have implications for healthcare providers managing solvent-exposed patients and for setting workplace exposure limits.