Organic solvents and Multiple Sclerosis: the doubled risk dilemma

Compensation for industrial disease in the UK may be obtained in two ways. A State scheme includes a list of accepted associations between occupations and diseases with evidence of a causative association. Epidemiological evidence of a doubled risk in the occupation concerned is usually required. This takes no account of variation of exposures within occupations, excluding many occupations where risk is less than doubled. In such cases, compensation for a perceived industrial illness may be obtained in Civil Courts, where excessive exposures can be considered.

To show that in the Civil Courts evidence of excessive exposure may lead to compensation for diseases which are not yet compensable as Industrial Injuries in the UK and to draw attention to the association of multiple sclerosis (MS) with solvent exposure.

We report the case of an industrial spray painter, who claimed his MS had been caused by high-level exposure to organic solvents, and our examination of the epidemiological evidence submitted.

The painter received compensation by an out-of-court settlement, despite the overall epidemiological risk in relation to solvent exposure having been shown to be less than doubled. The evidence hinged on individual risk in relation to high exposure, genetic susceptibility and demonstration of a plausible mechanism.

High organic solvent exposure may lead to the development of MS. Those giving evidence in Court need to be able to discuss the epidemiological and toxicological issues in relation to exposure in the individual case.