People who are exposed to solvents and benzene are more likely to score poorly on memory and thinking tests, according to a Harvard School of Public Health study.
Solvents are used in many workplaces to dissolve other substances such as paints, glues, clothes, plastics and pharmaceuticals.
“The people who have been highly exposed tend to perform worse or be slower on certain cognitive tasks than unexposed people,” said research fellow Erika Sabbath.
Given cognitive conditions without cure such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are on the rise, researchers said, so it was important for people to prevent cognitive problems where possible.
Read more at Neurology Journal