Title: | Cognitive impairment and olfactory panic from occupational exposure to VOCs |
Address: | "Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. abe_reinhartz@yahoo.ca" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0271-3586 (Print) 0271-3586 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: A Canadian government clerical worker in her early thirties developed frontal lobe dysfunction from inhalation of volatile organic compounds off-gassed during an office renovation. METHODS: Pulmonary function, bronchial provocation, allergy testing, and a brain (SPECT) scan were performed. RESULTS: SPECT scanning showed frontotemporal hypoperfusion and neuropsychologic testing revealed deficits in verbal learning and poor organizational memory. CONCLUSIONS: A significant component of this worker's impairment was the development of 'olfactory panic,' a debilitating aversion to odor accompanied by symptoms of panic. The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal granted entitlement for her cognitive difficulties and olfactory panic as a result of her toxic exposure" |
Keywords: | "Adult Air Pollution, Indoor/*adverse effects Cerebrovascular Circulation/drug effects Cognition Disorders/*chemically induced Cyclohexanes/adverse effects Female Frontal Lobe/blood supply/drug effects Humans Learning Disabilities/chemically induced Memory;" |
Notes: | "MedlineReinhartz, Abe eng Case Reports 2006/09/09 Am J Ind Med. 2006 Oct; 49(10):862-4. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20351" |