Solvent Exposure Affects Cognition Decades Later

People exposed to solvents—eg, paint, glue, or degreaser fumes—at work may show signs of cognitive impairment decades later.

While past research has uncovered associations between solvent exposure and kidney, liver, and respiratory issues, as well as risk of cancer, the effects of these chemicals on cognitive performance, especially years after exposure, were not as clear.
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In order to test the long-term effects of exposure, Erika L. Sabbath, ScD, of Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues followed 2143 retired workers (average age of 66) from the French national utility company, Electricite de France/Gaz de France. Lifetime exposure to chlorinated solvents, petroleum solvents, and benzene was assessed, measuring the time since last exposure as well as lifetime dosage.

Overall, 33% of participants were exposed to chlorinated solvents, 25% to petroleum solvents, and 26% to benzene.

Cognitive performance was measured using 8 memory and thinking tests. Fifty-nine percent of the participants showed impairment on 1-3 of the tests, 23% on 4 or more tests, and only 18% showed no impairment on any of the tests. 

Participants with high, recent (within 12 to 30 years prior to testing) exposure had the greatest risk for cognitive impairment, “but what was really striking was that we also saw some cognitive problems in those who had been highly exposed much longer ago, up to 50 years before testing,” according to Sabbath.

“This suggests that time may not fully lessen the effect of solvent exposure on some memory and cognitive skills when lifetime exposure is high.”

Patients with history of exposure may benefit from regular cognitive screening to catch problems early, they concluded.

–Michael Potts

Reference

Sabbath EL, Gutierrez L, Okechukwu CA, et al. Time may not fully attenuate solvent-associated cognitive deficits in highly exposed workers. Neurology.2014;82(19):1716-1723.