HAS THE SCANDINAVIAN SOLVENT SYNDROME CONTROVERSY BEEN SOLVED

This article discusses the ''Scandinavian solvent syndrome'' and revie ws epidemiologic studies on occupational solvent exposure and two rela ted outcomes. High cumulative exposure to organic solvents in the 1960 -1970s was related to early retirement from neuropsychiatric disorders , but solvent exposure alone was an unlikely cause of more severe deme ntia conditions. Heavy alcohol consumption seemed to modify the effect on solvent-related brain disorders strongly, but no reports exist of alcohol consumption as a confounding factor. Many cross-sectional and experimental studies support functional impairment from high solvent e xposure. The mists and myths around the ''Scandinavian solvent syndrom e'' can now be cleared up: it was not a uniform syndrome, it might be reversible in many cases, it is not confined to the Scandinavian count ries, the risk of more severe dementia is substantial for combined hig h solvent exposure and excessive alcohol consumption, and many solvent -exposed workers receive early retirement due to solvent-related neuro psychiatric disorders.