Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to examine the influencing factors on female hairdresser's neuropsychiatric symptoms due to chronic organic solvent exposure.
METHODS
We collected data from 143 female hairdressers employed in 75 hair salons selected by random sampling from the telephone directory of Gangnung City. Using multiple regression analysis we analyzed the influencing factors(i.e. ventilating fans, aircleaners, work duration, total time of exposure to solvents during hair-dyeing and permanent, etc.) on neuropsychiatric symptoms.
RESULTS
The neuropsychiatric symptom scores were significantly positively correlated with the total time of hair-dyeing work and work duration, and significantly negatively correlated with the glove wearing proportion. However, the total time of permanent work, ventilating fans and air-cleaners were not significantly correlated.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that for the prevention of neuropsychiatric symptoms due to chronic organic solvent exposure, more attention is required regarding hair-dyeing work than permanent work and to skin absorption rather than respiratory inhalation.

• Keywords: Hairdresser;Neuropsychiatric symptom;Organic solvent;Hair-dyes