Health disorders of the employees exposed to organic solvents at work

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of exposure of organic solvents at work on related health disorders in Latvia. Two surveys were carried out with a total number of 2520 respondents. Retrospective analysis of incidence of occupational diseases caused by organic solvents was performed. 21.4% of employees indicated absorption of chemical substances through skin. The incidence of occupational diseases caused by organic solvents has a stable trend to decrease from year 2003. 58.8% of employees believe that their long-term health disorders are related to their work environment or work conditions. While organic solvents remain an essential working risk problem in Latvia, the data on exposed persons and their health disorders caused by organic solvents are not sufficient enough. Biological monitoring could facilitate early diagnostics of non-specific health disorders caused by organic solvents.