%0 Journal Article %T Exposure to white spirit. II. Psychological functions. %A Gamberale, Francesco %A Annwall, Görell %A Hultengren, May %J Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health %D 1975 %8 March 1 %N 1 %@ 0355-3140 %F Gamberale1975 %X

The effect of the solvent white spirit on psychological functions, such as perceptual speed, reaction time, short-term memory, numerical ability, and manual dexterity, was studied in two separate series of experiments employing 14 and 8 healthy male students, respectively. Each subject was tested repeatedly in each series in exposure to 625, 1,250, 1,875 and 2,500 mg/m3 of white spirit in inspiratory air and under control conditions with exposure to pure air. In another experimental series each subject was tested during exposure to 4,000 mg/m3 of white spirit and under control conditions. Alveolar air samples were taken every fifth minute. No effect on examined functions was observed in the first experimental series. However, a prolonged reaction time and a probably impaired short-term memory was observed in subjects exposed to 4,000 mg/m3. At this concentration of white spirit in inspiratory air an alveolar air concentration was obtaine which corresponded to values obtained in exposure to 2,500 mg/m3 during light exercise.

%K experimental psychology %K exposure %K psychological function %K white spirit %R 10.5271/sjweh.2863 %U https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=2863 %U https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2863 %P 31-39