Changes in neuropsychological symptoms and moods among tanker drivers exposed to gasoline during a work week.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the neuropsychological symptoms and moods among tanker drivers during a work week and the associations of the changes with exposure to gasoline (including 10% methyl-tert-butyl ether). The target group for the study consisted of 101 road tanker drivers from three Finnish oil companies in various parts of Finland. The control group consisted of 100 milk delivery drivers from two milk companies from the same localities. Interviews were conducted before the work week and at the end of the same work week. Standardized symptom questionnaires were used to elicit responses to questions about symptoms and moods. In the questionnaires tanker drivers scored significantly higher in the fatigue scale at the end of the work week than before the work week. Our findings show that tanker drivers with long exposure to gasoline during the work week developed significantly higher changes in fatigue scores than drivers with short exposure. During the exposure situations, 20% of tanker drivers reported acute symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea, dyspnoea, irritation of saliva excretion) at the end of work week voluntarily. These symptoms have been connected, with MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl ether) exposure, among others. Exposure to MTBE during the work week can be reason for acute symptoms among the tanker drivers in this study.