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Neurobehavioral effects of long-term exposure to xylene and mixed organic solvents in shipyard spray painters.

A cross-sectional study was performed in shipyard painters exposed to organic solvents and age-matched referents. The work duties of the painters mainly involved spray painting with solvent-based paints containing > 50% xylene. Testing methods consisted of a symptoms questionnaire, measurement of peripheral sensory and motor nerve parameters and computerized performance tests. Results indicate that complaints regarding mood changes, equilibrium and fatigue were more severe in painters than in referents, but were not related to the estimated life-time exposure index. Decreased nerve function was observed in the lower extremities and to some extent in the upper extremities. The refractory period appeared to be a sensitive parameter in motor nerves. Most neurophysiological parameters investigated were significantly related to the exposure index. Behavioral testing revealed impairment of simple visuo-motor performance and complex perceptual coding. A relationship between effects on perceptual coding and the exposure index was also demonstrated.