Organic Solvents

Millions of people worldwide are exposed to organic solvents because of their multitude of uses. Organic solvents are lipophilic and have variable volatility; exposure is dermal or via inhalation. Most solvents cause central nervous system depression, characterized by initial euphoria and excitation, followed by lethargy, dizziness, and narcosis. A general syndrome associated with chronic solvent exposure is the chronic solvent encephalopathy, the final stage of which may include marked global deterioration in intellect and memory.Solvents that have specific and unique neurotoxic features include n-hexane and carbon disulfide, which cause a peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy; toluene, which can induce hearing loss, and, through abuse, severe brain damage, as well as an embryopathy known as fetal solvent syndrome; and styrene, which causes a nonspecific encephalopathy in humans.