[Interactions between organic solvents].

The purpose of this article is to review the knowledge at this time about interactions between organic solvents. The literature from the last 11 years (1980-1991) was searched in order to find descriptions of interactive effects concerning those 15 solvents, which most frequently exceeded the threshold limit value according to a recent Danish report. Thirty publications dealing with 23 different combinations of the solvents two by two, and four publications on a single solvent's ability to induce cytochrome P-450 isozymes, were found. Synergistic effects were reported for 11 of the 23 investigated combinations. The interactions of the solvents styrene, n-hexane, xylene, dichloromethane and toluene are described. The conclusion drawn is that the rule of additivity should be used with caution when dealing with combined exposure for organic solvents in industry. Certain solvents should not be used together.