Experimental exposure to toluene in combination with ethanol intake. Psychophysiological functions.

Effects of experimental exposure to toluene (3.2 mmol/m3, ie, 300 mg/m3) for 4.5 h and ethanol ingestion (15 mmol/kg) on the results of four performance tests, symptoms, mood, and physiological indices of wakefulness were studied in 12 male volunteers. Toluene exposure produced symptoms like headache and local irritation, as well as a weak depression of heart rate during rest, but did not reduce performance capability. Ethanol ingestion impaired performance on two of the tests and also increased heart rate. Mood was likewise altered by ethanol, but no increase in subjective symptoms due to ethanol ingestion could be demonstrated. Physiological indices of wakefulness were not affected by toluene exposure or by ethanol intake. No interaction effects were found.

Effects of organic solvents on behavioral performance of workers in the paint industry.

A field study was conducted to investigate the effects on central nervous system function of workers in the paint industry who were exposed daily to a mixture of organic solvents. Forty-seven solvent exposed workers and forty-seven age matched non-exposed industrial workers were examined before and after a work day with a battery of tests including simple reaction time, perceptual speed, short-term memory and critical flicker fusion. A questionnaire was used to assess subjective symptoms. The exposed group consisted of workers who had been occupationally exposed for more than 10 years or were exposed to concentrations of solvents clearly above the TLV's at the time of the investigation. On the average, the exposed workers performed less well than the non-exposed group on the tests. The differences were most pronounced for the group exposed to higher solvent concentrations. The result could be interpreted as primarily due to an acute effect.

Comparison between participants and non-participants at a gynaecological mass screening.

Nearly 35% of the women invited to the gynaecological mass screening in Uppsala do not participate. It is therefore of importance to study the reasons for this, especially as previous research in this field is sparse. We used a mail questionnaire which included questions concerning sociological data, gynaecological background, attitude to gynaecological examinations and to mass screening, attitude to cancer and to sexual matters. 87.5% of the sample of 800 women replied. We compared the group of women who had at some time participated in the mass screening with those who had never participated. The sociological variables were found to be closely correlated, and their individual significance could consequently not be distinguished. Those who had not participated did not as a whole constitute a critical group as regards detection of cancer, since it was found that most of these women had attended a gynaecologist elsewhere and, although they had had smears taken, they appeared to be poorly informed as to the type of cancer that the smear is intended to detect. Our questioning failed to show the women's attitude to cancer or to sexual matters was of significance for participation, although there is some evidence that the latter may be of some importance. The most significant difference disclosed between the groups was that non-participants consider gynaecological examinations more unpleasant than do participants. Furthermore it was found that women's expectations of the mass screening differ from what they consider to be included in the examination. Finally, measures intended to increase participation are suggested.