Organic solvents and the risk of multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic studies suggest that environmental factors may be part of the yet unknown causation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Several case-control studies have shown a history of elevated exposure to organic solvents among cases.


METHODS
Three cohorts of 11,542 painters, 36,899 construction workers and 9,314 food-processing workers were identified by the 1970 census in Norway. The cohorts were followed until the end of 1986 for registration of disability pensions.


RESULTS
A total of nine painters, 12 construction workers and six food workers had received a disability pension because of MS. The relative risk for painters compared with workers not exposed to organic solvents was 2.0 (95% confidence inter-val = 0.9-4.5) for MS.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are compatible with the hypothesis of organic solvents being a possible risk factor for MS.
Riise
Trond
T
Section for Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Bergen, Norway. trond.riise@isf.uib.no
Moen
Bente E
BE
Kyvik
Knut Rasmus
KR
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010150:Paint; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents