Exposure to solvents, including those in paint,
glue or degreasers, is very common despite
known health risks. But a study of more than
two thousand retirees from a French company
showed twenty-six percent were exposed to
benzene, about the same to petroleum solvents
and one-third to chlorinated solvents, such as
dry cleaning solutions, engine cleaners and
paint removers. They were given memory tests
and tests of their thinking skills an average of
ten years after they retired. A total of fifty-nine
percent of them had impairment on one to
three of the eight tests and one quarter showed
impairment in four or more tests. Researchers
say it was really striking that some cognitive
problems were observed in those who were
exposed to solvents up to fifty years before the
tests, suggesting that time may not fully lessen
the effect of exposure to solvents on memory
and cognitive skills