Fears inhaling paint fumes may increase the risk of getting MS

INHALING paint and varnish fumes may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis, research has shown.

On their own, the solvents raised the likelihood of developing MS by 50pc when compared with no exposure.

Adding MS susceptibility genes to the equation led to an almost sevenfold increase in risk, a study found.

And a triple whammy of smoking, genetic risk factors and solvent exposure caused the relative risk to soar 30 times over.

“These are significant interactions where the factors have a much greater effect in combination than they do on their own,” said lead researcher Dr Anna Hedstrom, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

“More research is needed to understand how these factors interact to create this risk.

“It’s possible that exposure to solvents and smoking may both involve lung inflammation and irritation that leads to an immune reaction in the lungs.”

For the study, the researchers identified 2,042 Swedes who had recently been diagnosed with MS and matched them with almost 3,000 members of the general population.

Participants underwent blood tests and were asked whether they had ever smoked or been exposed to organic solvents, painting products or varnish.

MS genes and solvent exposure combined were responsible for an estimated 60pc of the overall risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

The findings are reported in the journal Neurology.

Solvents

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Gabriele DeLuca, from Oxford University, wrote: “How this cocktail of MS genes, organic solvents and smoking contributes so significantly to MS risk warrants investigation.

“In the meantime, avoiding cigarette smoke and unnecessary exposure to organic solvents, particularly in combination with each other, would seem reasonable lifestyle changes people can take to reduce the risk of MS, especially in people with a family history of the disease.”