Neuropsychological performance in solvent-exposed vehicle collision repair workers in New Zealand.

Objectives: To assess whether contemporary solvent exposures in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with objectively measured neuropsychological performance in collision repair workers.

Methods: The RBANS battery and additional tests were administered to 47 vehicle collision repair and 51 comparison workers randomly selected from a previous questionnaire study.

Results: Collision repair workers performed lower on tests of attention (digit span backwards: -1.

Wood Dust in Joineries and Furniture Manufacturing: An Exposure Determinant and Intervention Study.

Objectives: To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to evaluate the efficacy of specific interventions on dust emissions under laboratory conditions. Also, in a subsequent follow-up study in a small sample of joinery workshops, we aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a cost-effective and practicable intervention to reduce dust exposures.

Methods: Personal inhalable dust (n = 201) was measured in 99 workers from 10 joineries and 3 furniture-making factories.

Solvent neurotoxicity in vehicle collision repair workers in New Zealand.

Objectives: To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in spray painters and panel beaters (auto body repair workers).

Methods: Neurobehavioural symptoms were assessed using a cross-sectional study design in 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 reference workers using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift airborne solvent levels were measured in a subset (n=92) of collision repair workers.