[Brain damage caused by exposure to organic solvents; diagnostics and disease course of chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy].

Since 1997 more than 3,000 patients have been referred to one of the two Dutch Solvent Teams with health problems that may have been caused by long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents. A diagnosis of 'chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy' was made in approximately 500 patients. The diagnostics of this disease is based on five elements: (a) symptoms in line with the diagnosis; (b) relevant exposure to an organic solvent with neurotoxic effects; (c) a clear temporal relationship between the onset of symptoms and exposure to a solvent with neurotoxic effects; (d) exclusion of other causes for the symptoms; and (e) impairment on neuropsychological assessment. Exposure to organic solvents can cause chronic health effects, which may even persist years after exposure has ceased. In general, no more serious deterioration of health is observed after exposure has ceased.