Neurasthenic symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to jet fuel

Abstract

Long-term exposure to petroleum distillation products (e.g. jet fuel) has been suggested to cause chronic mental and neurological symptoms. In the present “cross-sectional epidemiological study” the extent of neuropsychiatric ill-health in 30 workers exposed to jet fuel was compared with that in 60 non-exposed matched controls. Standardized medical interviews showed a higher occurrence of neurasthenic symptoms in exposed subjects (P < 0.001). The result was confirmed by examination of the medical records kept by the factory physician (P < 0.01). The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms was assessed with a rating scale of 37 items (a modified CPRS). Again, the exposed workers scored higher than the controls (P < 0.001), particularly regarding the neurasthenic symptoms, i.e. fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, memory difficulties, and various psychosomatic symptoms (P < 0.01). The results could neither be explained by observer's bias, nor by a greater susceptibility for mental disorders in the exposed subjects. We therefore conclude that occupational exposure to jet fuel vapours around the present threshold limit values may induce a neurasthenic syndrome.