%0 Journal Article %T Neurobehavioral effects during experimental exposure to 1-octanol and isopropanol %A van Thriel, Christoph %A Kiesswetter, Ernst %A Blaszkewicz, Meinolf %A Golka, Klaus %A Seeber, Andreas %J Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health %D 2003 %8 April 29 %N 2 %@ 0355-3140 %F vanThriel2003 %X '

'

OBJECTIVES ': 'The study examined acute neurobehavioral effects provoked by controlled exposure to 1-octanol and isopropanol among male volunteers.

'

'

METHODS ': 'In a 29-m3 exposure laboratory, 24 male students (mean age 25.8 years) were exposed to 1-octanol and isopropanol. Each substance was used in two concentrations (0.1 and 6.4 ppm for 1-octanol; 34.9 and 189.9 ppm for isopropanol:). In a crossover design, each subject was exposed for 4 hours to the conditions. Twelve subjects reported enhanced chemical sensitivity; the other 12 were age-matched controls. At the onset and end of the exposures neurobehavioral tests were administered and symptoms were rated.

'

'

RESULTS ': 'At the end of the high and low isopropanol exposures the tiredness ratings were elevated, but no dose-dependence could be confirmed. For both substances and concentrations, the annoyance ratings increased during the exposure, but only for isopropanol did the increase show a dose-response relation. The subjects reported olfactory symptoms during the exposure to the high isopropanol and both 1-octanol concentrations. Isopropanol provoked no sensory irritation, whereas high 1-octanol exposure slightly enhanced it. Only among the subjects with enhanced chemical sensitivity were both 1-octanol concentrations associated with a stronger increase in annoyance, and lower detection rates were observed in a divided attention task.

'

'

CONCLUSIONS ': 'Previous studies reporting no neurobehavioral effects for isopropanol (up to 400 ppm) were confirmed. The results obtained for 1-octanol lacked dose-dependency, and their evaluation is difficult. The annoying odor of 1-octanol may mask sensory irritation and prevent subjects with enhanced chemical sensitivity from concentrating on performance in a demanding task.

%K 1-octanol %K alcohols %K chemical sensitivity %K distraction %K experimental exposure %K isopropanol %K neurobehavioral effect %K neuropsychology of attention %R 10.5271/sjweh.716 %U https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=716 %U https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.716 %P 143-151