Waterborne paints. A review of their chemistry and toxicology and the results of determinations made during their use.

Abstract

HANSEN MK, LARSEN M, COHR K-H. Waterborne paints: A review of their chemistry and toxicology and the results of determinations made during their use. Scand J Work Environ Health 13 (1987) 473-485. This work presents information on the composition of waterborne construction paints used in Denmark, data from determinations of chemicals evaporating from paints applied with a brush or roller, and the toxicology of these chemicals. Seven product types were selected to illustrate the composition of the paints. Measurements at two workplaces were used as models for the work environment during painting. Evaporating chemicals were collected on Tenax TN"' and analyzed with capillary column gas chromatography after thermal desorption. In smudging work, waterborne paints may result in skin irritation and/or sensitization when safety precautions are not taken. Irritation of the mucous membranes may be expected if airing is not sufficient. This irritation may lead to headache mediated by trigeminal nerve stimulation. No other health hazards (eg, brain damage) are expected. The available information indicates that waterborne paints are a clear improvement over traditional paints which use white spirit as the main solvent.Key terms: biocides, headache, irritation, latex paint, monomers, sensitizers, siccatives, solvents, surface active compounds, trigeminal nerve.In the I970s there was a substantial change in the consumption of construction paints in Denmark. Before this time, most paints were formulated with white spirit as the main solvent. Today more than 90 070 of construction paints are waterborne. The reasons for this change may have been the public discussion of the possibility of brain damage due to solvent exposure, the technological developments, the information campaigns of the trade unions, and the regulation by the Danish Labour Inspectorate. The change has resulted in some further advantages, eg, fewer risks of fire or explosion and a decreased emission of solvents to the environment.The present review was initiated as a part of an investigation of whether or not health problems might be expected from work with waterborne construction paints. It is a compilation of a Danish report (21), and it deals with (i) the composition of waterborne paints according to specifications from the Danish manufacturers, (ii) the toxicology of the chemicals contained in these paints, with the main emphasis on effects related to exposure to these types of products, and (iii) analysis of chemicals evaporating from waterborne paints under work conditions. Review of the chemistry and the toxicology of waterborne paints Chemistry oj waterborne paintsThe following seven waterborne product types were examined: acrylic latex paint (flat), acrylic latex paint (semi-gloss), heavy-bodied latex wall paint, latex enamel, latex primer (micro disperse), latex wall paint, and sealing waterborne paint (for ceilings). They were chosen from the Danish market in collaboration with, among others, the Danish Painters' Union, representatives of the Dan...

Temporary health effects from exposure to water-borne paints.

“…The proportion of solvents has to be higher when the demand for gloss and abrasion resistance is high. The solvent contents are -s2% in wall paints and 7-8010 in paints for joinery products, sometimes even more than 10% (3).…”

“…The latex paints contain water, but there are some volatile organic compounds as well. Small amounts (ie, tenths of a percent) of monomer residues may be present after the polymerization reaction (eg, vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate) (3). The paint manufacturers add organic solvents, usually glycols, glycol ethers, and esters, to promote the film formation process and to improve the application properties.…”

“…Paint manufacturers often use mix-tures of derivatives of isothiazolinone, marketed under various trade names, for this purpose. This group of substances may cause allergic reactions (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Fungicides can also be added to prevent the growth of fungi on paints used in wet rooms.…”

“…Most latex paints contain ammonia to adjust the pH to 8-9 (3). Some arnines can be added to certain paints or raw materials, partly for pH adjustment and partly to improve the emulsion of oils and alkyds in water.…”

Risk of congenital malformations among children of construction painters in Denmark: a nationwide cohort study

“…Dust and volatiles are inhaled and chemicals with small molecular weight are absorbed by the skin (1). In 1989, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the occupational exposure of construction painters as a group 1 carcinogen (2).…”