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Annoyance and performance during the experimental chemical challenge of subjects with multiple chemical sensitivity.

Österberg, Kai LU ; Örbaek, Palle LU ; Karlson, Björn LU ; Åkesson, Bengt LU and Bergendorf, Ulf LU (2003) In Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 29(1). p.40-50
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study explored the subjective reactions and psychological test performance of smell-intolerant subjects during consecutive challenges to chemicals with contrasting neurotoxic properties. METHODS: Women with symptoms compatible with multiple chemical sensitivity (N=10) and healthy referents (N=20) were individually challenged in an exposure chamber. All the subjects attended two separate 2-hour sessions of exposure to n-butyl acetate and toluene, in counterbalanced sequence. After an initial phase without exposure, air concentrations were increased in steps ranging from 3.6 to 57 mg/m3 for n-butyl acetate and from 11 to 180 mg/m3 for toluene. The response measures comprised ratings of annoyance and smell intensity and also... (More)
OBJECTIVES: This study explored the subjective reactions and psychological test performance of smell-intolerant subjects during consecutive challenges to chemicals with contrasting neurotoxic properties. METHODS: Women with symptoms compatible with multiple chemical sensitivity (N=10) and healthy referents (N=20) were individually challenged in an exposure chamber. All the subjects attended two separate 2-hour sessions of exposure to n-butyl acetate and toluene, in counterbalanced sequence. After an initial phase without exposure, air concentrations were increased in steps ranging from 3.6 to 57 mg/m3 for n-butyl acetate and from 11 to 180 mg/m3 for toluene. The response measures comprised ratings of annoyance and smell intensity and also neurobehavioral test performance. RESULTS: Both groups showed an increase in annoyance ratings and a decrease in test performance in the initial unexposed chamber phase and also in the first phase of the chemical exposure, these results indicating slight immediate expectancy or "suggestion" effects. During the six chamber phases, the ratings of mucous membrane irritation and fatigue showed a steeper increase in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity than among the referents, while the ratings of smell intensity and smell annoyance were similar in the two groups. A reduction in test performance was observed during the chamber phases, particularly in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. No relation was found between the ratings or performance and chemical substance. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger immediate expectancy or "suggestion" reactions than normal did not characterize the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. This group showed a stronger than normal gradual build-up of fatigue, mucous membrane irritation, and reduced performance during chemical exposure. The results offer the most support to an irritative basis for multiple chemical sensitivity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
volume
29
issue
1
pages
40 - 50
publisher
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
external identifiers
  • pmid:12630435
  • wos:000181128300007
  • scopus:0037323791
ISSN
0355-3140
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
72d5d15e-23f9-433e-828d-88aa5a2cc1f8 (old id 112881)
alternative location
http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=703
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 12:31:49
date last changed
2022-01-27 06:21:55
@article{72d5d15e-23f9-433e-828d-88aa5a2cc1f8,
  abstract     = {{OBJECTIVES: This study explored the subjective reactions and psychological test performance of smell-intolerant subjects during consecutive challenges to chemicals with contrasting neurotoxic properties. METHODS: Women with symptoms compatible with multiple chemical sensitivity (N=10) and healthy referents (N=20) were individually challenged in an exposure chamber. All the subjects attended two separate 2-hour sessions of exposure to n-butyl acetate and toluene, in counterbalanced sequence. After an initial phase without exposure, air concentrations were increased in steps ranging from 3.6 to 57 mg/m3 for n-butyl acetate and from 11 to 180 mg/m3 for toluene. The response measures comprised ratings of annoyance and smell intensity and also neurobehavioral test performance. RESULTS: Both groups showed an increase in annoyance ratings and a decrease in test performance in the initial unexposed chamber phase and also in the first phase of the chemical exposure, these results indicating slight immediate expectancy or "suggestion" effects. During the six chamber phases, the ratings of mucous membrane irritation and fatigue showed a steeper increase in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity than among the referents, while the ratings of smell intensity and smell annoyance were similar in the two groups. A reduction in test performance was observed during the chamber phases, particularly in the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. No relation was found between the ratings or performance and chemical substance. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger immediate expectancy or "suggestion" reactions than normal did not characterize the group with multiple chemical sensitivity. This group showed a stronger than normal gradual build-up of fatigue, mucous membrane irritation, and reduced performance during chemical exposure. The results offer the most support to an irritative basis for multiple chemical sensitivity.}},
  author       = {{Österberg, Kai and Örbaek, Palle and Karlson, Björn and Åkesson, Bengt and Bergendorf, Ulf}},
  issn         = {{0355-3140}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{40--50}},
  publisher    = {{Finnish Institute of Occupational Health}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health}},
  title        = {{Annoyance and performance during the experimental chemical challenge of subjects with multiple chemical sensitivity.}},
  url          = {{http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=703}},
  volume       = {{29}},
  year         = {{2003}},
}