Symptoms may appear gradually, so they may be initially ignored. This can make it hard to identify the chronic health problems related to solvent exposure. Repeated irritation of the respiratory tract may result in bronchitis and produce symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic dermatitis. The skin can become dry, thickened, cracked, hardened and flaky.
Most organic solvents affect the central nervous system, primarily the brain.
Long-term exposure has been associated with effects such as difficulty in thinking and personality changes. Symptoms of nerve damage include pain, loss of sensation, and weakness, usually beginning in the toes, then the fingers and moving up the legs and arms. Some solvents, particularly chlorinated types, can damage the liver, causing a type of hepatitis. There may be no symptoms. Hepatitis may be detected by blood tests of liver function.