Successful prevention of organic solvent induced disorders : history and lessons
(2024) In Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 50(3). p.135-141- Abstract
In this discussion paper, we describe the history of the science and societal action resulting in the mitigation of neurotoxic disorders from exposure to organic solvents at the workplaces in Sweden. When alkyd paints were introduced in large scale in construction painting in the 1960s and 1970s, Scandinavian unions voiced increasing concern as members reported symptoms like headache and vertigo, supported by participatory studies and case studies. Although acute and chronic neurotoxic effects were established for some specific solvents such as carbon disulphide, this was not the case for those used in the new paints. Union advocacy promoted formal epidemiological studies, providing increasing evidence for chronic neurotoxicity at... (More)
In this discussion paper, we describe the history of the science and societal action resulting in the mitigation of neurotoxic disorders from exposure to organic solvents at the workplaces in Sweden. When alkyd paints were introduced in large scale in construction painting in the 1960s and 1970s, Scandinavian unions voiced increasing concern as members reported symptoms like headache and vertigo, supported by participatory studies and case studies. Although acute and chronic neurotoxic effects were established for some specific solvents such as carbon disulphide, this was not the case for those used in the new paints. Union advocacy promoted formal epidemiological studies, providing increasing evidence for chronic neurotoxicity at levels far below current occupational exposure levels. The results were widely disseminated and accepted and led to concerted action with preventive measures, most importantly substitution of the organic solvents in paints for indoor use, but also drastic reductions in occupational exposure limits. The findings also resulted in fund-ing of further research on solvent toxicity and the establishment of expert groups to advice authorities on occupational standards for exposure to chemicals. The substitution strategy was subsequently adopted in many other countries and occupational exposure limits were lowered, although several years or even decades later. While the societal context in Sweden was unique in many ways, we conclude that there are lessons to be learned from this preventive success when addressing current challenges.
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- author
- Albin, Maria LU ; Johanson, Gunnar and Hogstedt, Christer
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- chronic neurotoxicity, occupational exposure limit, painter, social partner, toxic encephalopathy, union advocacy
- in
- Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
- volume
- 50
- issue
- 3
- pages
- 7 pages
- publisher
- Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:38483328
- scopus:85189191849
- ISSN
- 0355-3140
- DOI
- 10.5271/sjweh.4155
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 7c6f834c-a904-4643-bcd7-608829a40a1f
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-13 14:34:12
- date last changed
- 2025-07-15 18:35:53
@article{7c6f834c-a904-4643-bcd7-608829a40a1f,
abstract = {{<p>In this discussion paper, we describe the history of the science and societal action resulting in the mitigation of neurotoxic disorders from exposure to organic solvents at the workplaces in Sweden. When alkyd paints were introduced in large scale in construction painting in the 1960s and 1970s, Scandinavian unions voiced increasing concern as members reported symptoms like headache and vertigo, supported by participatory studies and case studies. Although acute and chronic neurotoxic effects were established for some specific solvents such as carbon disulphide, this was not the case for those used in the new paints. Union advocacy promoted formal epidemiological studies, providing increasing evidence for chronic neurotoxicity at levels far below current occupational exposure levels. The results were widely disseminated and accepted and led to concerted action with preventive measures, most importantly substitution of the organic solvents in paints for indoor use, but also drastic reductions in occupational exposure limits. The findings also resulted in fund-ing of further research on solvent toxicity and the establishment of expert groups to advice authorities on occupational standards for exposure to chemicals. The substitution strategy was subsequently adopted in many other countries and occupational exposure limits were lowered, although several years or even decades later. While the societal context in Sweden was unique in many ways, we conclude that there are lessons to be learned from this preventive success when addressing current challenges.</p>}},
author = {{Albin, Maria and Johanson, Gunnar and Hogstedt, Christer}},
issn = {{0355-3140}},
keywords = {{chronic neurotoxicity; occupational exposure limit; painter; social partner; toxic encephalopathy; union advocacy}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{3}},
pages = {{135--141}},
publisher = {{Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health}},
series = {{Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health}},
title = {{Successful prevention of organic solvent induced disorders : history and lessons}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4155}},
doi = {{10.5271/sjweh.4155}},
volume = {{50}},
year = {{2024}},
}