Abstract

Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between occupational solvent exposure and the development of serious psychiatric illness.

The occupational exposure of almost 700 psychiatric patients was compared, in two studies, to general hospital referents.

The results indicate that occupational solvent exposure is not a significant risk factor in general psychiatric patients. On the other hand, psychiatric patients with organic brain disease had been exposed to moderate or high levels for at least 10 years. This was particularly evident in patients diagnosed as suffering from alcohol-related organic brain disease.

This study confirms the existence of an association between solvent exposure and psychiatric illness. More detailed analysis is, however, necessary to clarify the precise nature of this association.