A case-referent study on neuropsychiatric disorders among workers exposed to solvents.

Published reports give justification for the belief that long-term exposure to solvents might induce chronic but nonspecific neuropsychiatric conditions. This case-referent study of data from a regional Swedish pension fund register indicated a risk ration of 1.8 in regard to nonspecific neuropsychiatric disorders among workers such as painters, varnishers and carpetlayers who are exposed to solvents as compared to workers not so exposed. Moreover a dose-response relationship seems to exist between exposure in terms of occupational years and neuropsychiatric conditions, the result being that persons affected are considered eligible for disability pensions.