Psychiatric symptoms have been reported fur individuals who experience chro
nic exposure to low levels of organic solvents. However, it is not known wh
at proportion of such individuals experience psychiatric disorder; which sp
ecific disorders may be characteristic of this population; or whether bioac
cumulation of lead contributes to the relationship between solvent exposure
and psychiatric symptoms. Twenty-nine male journeymen painters acid 32 mal
e non-painter control subjects were administered semi-structured diagnostic
interviews for DSM-III-R Axis I and Axis II disorders. Career solvent expo
sure and blood lead levels were also measured. Painters and control subject
s did not differ significantly with respect to age, intelligence, or demogr
aphic characteristics. Results showed that the probability of being diagnos
ed with a mood disorder differed significantly in painters (41%) and contro
l subjects (16%). Painters (66%) and control subjects (50%) did not differ
for substance use diagnoses. Groups also did not differ for personality dis
orders involving an onset before 25 years of age. In contrast, painters exh
ibited a sub-clinical pattern of personality dysfunction involving symptoma
tology that was measured allowing for late onset (after age 25). Finally, a
significant dose-response relationship was observed between career solvent
exposure, blood lead level, and personality symptoms. In summary, these da
ta showed an increased rate of psychological disturbance in a significant a
nd substantial number of painters. However, not all painters were so charac
terized. This overall pattern raises a question regarding a potential role
for differential vulnerability, which requires empirical validation. (C) 20
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