| Alcohol consumption in relatiohship to
solvent-related symptoms can be important in three situations: 1) when acute alcohol consumption potentiates the narcotic effect of solvents; 2) when chronic alcohol consumption potentiates the hepatotoxic effect of solvents; or 3) when a combination of acute alcohol consumption and acute solvent exposure precipitates a so-called "Antabuse" reaction (also referred to as "degreaser's flush," most often seen with trichlorethylene exposure). In this case, the patient has abnormal liver function tests and admits to consuming approximately two six-packs of beer each weekend, possibly contributing to #2, above. |