carcinogens. Solvents can damage internal organs like the liver, the kidneys, the nervous system, or the brain. The cumulative effects of long-term or repeated exposure to solvents are called chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy (CSE). Chronic exposure to organic solvents in the work environment can produce a range of adverse neuropsychiatric effects. For example, occupational exposure to organic solvents has been associated with higher numbers of painters suffering from alcoholism. Ethanol has a synergistic effect when taken in combination with many solvents; for instance, a combination of toluene/benzene and ethanol causes greater nausea/vomiting than either substance alone. Many solvents are known or suspected to be cataractogenic, greatly increasing the risk of developing cataracts in the lens of the eye. Solvent exposure has also been associated with neurotoxic damage causing hearing loss and color vision losses. Environmental contamination A major pathway to induce health effects arises from spills or leaks of solvents that reach the underlying soil. Since solvents readily migrate substantial distances, the creation of widespread soil contamination is not uncommon; this is particularly a health risk if aquifers are affected. Vapor intrusion can occur from sites with extensive subsurface solvent contamination. See also Free energy of solvation Solvents are often refluxed with an appropriate desiccant prior to distillation to remove water. This may be performed prior to a chemical synthesis where water may interfere with the intended reaction List of water-miscible solvents Lyoluminescence Occupational health Partition coefficient (log P) is a measure of differential solubility of a compound in two solvents Solvation Solvent systems exist outside the realm of ordinary organic solvents: Supercritical fluids, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents Water model Water pollution References Bibliography External links Solvent selection tool ACS Green Chemistry Institute "European Solvents Industry Group - ESIG - ESIG European Solvents Industry Group" Solvents in Europe. Table and text O-Chem Lecture Tables Properties and toxicities of organic solvents CDC – Organic Solvents – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic EPA – Solvent Contaminated Wipes Soil contamination Solutions Chemical compounds he:תמיסה#הממס