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OPS, a nerver-racking disease Only in the Netherlands there are already more than half a million people being exposed to organic solvents during practising their occupation. A lot of employers and employees are not, or hardly aware of the health dangers of this exposure. It is known for a long time that organic solvent have "neurotic" (poisonous) qualities. This means that they can harm the nervesystem irritrieveble. This harmful action can lead to severe complaints, who can form a great load for the employee and his social surroundings: the Organic Psycho Syndrome. The fact that in our country so many employees are in danger because of these solvents is more than a good reason to prevent it as much as possible. Eventually this is not only good for the employee, but for the employer as well. The employer becomes a healthy company in all possible ways. Organic Psycho Syndrome Of all organs in the human body, the brain is the most sensitive one to organic solvents. The history makes clear that in the last century it was recognized that exposing can lead to insomnia, fearful dreams and extraordinary irritations. Eventually this complaint patron will get worse untill people speak about the Organic Psycho Syndrome (OPS). In this case organic will mean that there is some functional damage on the nervesystem. Psycho points to mental- or behaviourdisorders and Syndrome means that it is about a combination of diseasesymptoms. Organic Psycho Syndrome; How can you recognize it? The complaints, as a result of exposure to solvents, can take place in different stages. Sometimes the complaints are from temporary nature, like for example when people are using solvent holding paints or glues in a bad ventilated room. Short exposure to a high concentration solvent can lead to sickness, headaches, dizziness and palpitations of de heart. The complaints usually disappear fast after ending work. When people are regularly exposured to organic solvents permanent damage to the nervesystem can arise. The first stage of the complaints is called the "neurasthene syndrome". When employees are continiously are exposured to solvents these complaints can grow worse and can lead to the Organic Psycho Syndrome. People who suffer from OPS are often confused; they can hardly orientate in rooms and time, they cannot concentrate for a long time on something, they are bad in co-working and remembering, they are short of logics, they have disturbances in their consciousness and have observation disorders. The complaints can get along with fast mood changes and changes in their personality. In this stage is a complete recovery impossible. Who are in danger? The diagnose of OPS through solvents is hard to assess, because there are a number of other diseases who have more or less the same complaints, like for example a crash or alcoholabuse. Still research has made so much progress, that nowadays we can see the relation between the complaints of OPS and the professional exposure to solvents. In the Netherlands there are about 500.000 people who are being exposed to solvents during their occupation. Occupations in which considerable exposure to solvents is possible, are painters, laborants, plastic processors, people who work in printing- offices, people who cover roofs and floors, etc. What can you do? Everybody has profit when a company is healthy. There are several things you can do to shut out the health risks of working with solvents and things you can do to prevent employees of dropping out.
Translated copy of: "Sickness through solvents, recommendations to prevent the Organic Psycho Syndrome", published by the Ministry of Social Business and Employment For more information go to the website of OPS Vereniging Nederland (in dutch) |