Assessment of Different Health Hazards in Painting Industry

Abstract

Introduction: Painters are among the highly and chronically exposed occupational groups either in industrial or commercial field. The health effects of organic solvents have been known for more than a century either from occupational exposure or from organic solvent abuse. Long term heavy solvent exposure is hazardous to the nervous system, hepatic, renal, blood and other body systems. Aim of the study: to assess the different health hazards encountered in the painting industry with special reference to the effects of organic solvents and toluene as the major solvents used and to assess the effectiveness of urinary orthocresol as a biological indicator of exposure. Subjects and Methods: The studied population comprised 68 individuals divided into exposed and control groups. The workers were all males with age ranging from 31 to 55 years with a mean value of (40.74 ±1.63). The duration of exposure ranged from 9 to 30 years. The age of the control group ranged from 30-58 years with a mean of (48.33+1.85). All workers were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire about presence of neuropsychological, respiratory, renal, hepatic and hematological symptoms. Detailed personal, medical and occupational history were included. Thorough physical examination was done. Complete blood picture, liver function tests, kidney function tests, serum electrolytes, ventilatory function tests , urinary o-cresol level and urine analysis were also done. Results: Liver function tests showed no statistically significant difference between the exposed workers and the control groups. In correlation with duration of exposure statistically significant difference was found between exposed workers as regards SGPT level. Complete blood picture results showed normal levels with no difference between exposed and controls; but some parameters decreased with increased duration of exposure. Urinary o-cresol level showed a statistically significant difference between exposed workers and control group (p-value 0.000). Ventilatory functions of the studied groups showed that exposed workers had lower values of all parameters measured. Conclusion: The results strengthen the relationship between the different health hazards encountered in painting industry and the duration of exposure. Hematological, immunological and cardiovascular effects are further suggested and should be tested thoroughly in future studies.

Evaluation of Skin Absorption Potential of Chemicals Relevant to Painting Trades

“…that are used in painting activities. Several investigations have indicated causal relationship between occupational exposure of painters to chemicals and its negative health outcomes, including increased DNA damage, genomic instability, and alterations in cellular kinetics. − Exposure to emitted volatile chemicals from paint mixtures is a potential risk factor for developing respiratory illness among painters. − Other suggested systemic health effects attributed to the exposure of paint chemicals are hematological, immunological, cardiovascular diseases, congenital malformations in offspring, and cancer. − The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified “occupational exposure as a painter” is carcinogenic to humans (group 1)…”