Health Hazards of Solvents Exposure among Workers in Paint Industry

Assessment of the effects of solvents on lung function among paint industry workers in Mauritius

The study aimed to determine the respiratory effects of solvents among workers in the Mauritius paint industry. A total of 388 participants were selected using simple random sampling, and were subjected to a questionnaire for data collection. Lung function test was performed using a spirometer. Multiple regression was used to analyze the relationship between hours of exposure to solvents, while adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Independent t-test was also used to identify any difference between the means of lung function tests and the two exposed groups. Male participants were found less likely exposed to solvents compared to females (AOR, 3.39, CI 1.97-5.81). Those with secondary and lower secondary education, and worked for ≤12 hours per week, had an increased likelihood of being exposed to solvents (AOR 2.95, CI 1.20-7.28) (AOR 2.48, CI 1.19-5.16). Participants who were aware of occupational hazards (AOR 0.15, CI (0.05-0.46), and have used PPE (AOR 0.14, CI 0.08-0.25) were less likely to be less exposed to solvents. This study highlights the adverse effects of workplace exposures on respiratory health among paint factory workers. .

Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Paint Production Plants: Levels and Potential Human Health Risks

A wide range of volatile organic solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones, are used in the production of paints, and they comprise more than 30% of the ingredients of paints. The present study was designed to evaluate the occupational exposure to 15 volatile organic compounds (VOCs, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, n-butyl acetate, n-octane, n-decane, dichlorofluoromethane, and acetone) in Iranian paint production factories and subsequently, the associated health risks. The samples were collected from the respiratory zone of workers using the NIOSH 1501 method, and their qualitative and quantitative characterization was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, respectively. The individual concentrations of VOCs ranged from 23.76 ± 0.57 µg m^-3 (acetone) to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m^-3 (m,p-xylene). The predominant compounds were m,p-xylene (up to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m^-3), ethylbenzene (up to 91188.95 ± 0.34 µg m^-3), and toluene (up to 46088.84 ± 0.14 µg m^-3). The non-cancer risks of benzene, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, xylene, and ethylbenzene surpassed the reference value in most of the sectors. In addition, total lifetime risks of cancer were in the range of 1.8 × 10^-5-3.85 × 10^-3, suggesting that there was a risk of carcinogenesis in all studied sections, mainly due to ethylbenzene and benzene. Considering their high exposure concentrations and their associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, biological monitoring of workers and the use of technical and modern engineering control measures are recommended.

Neurotoxicity of organic solvents with emphasis on the role of iron

BACKGROUND

Exposure to organic solvents (OS) adversely affects different body systems, the central and peripheral nervous systems being the most susceptible ones.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the role of iron in association with some neurotransmitters for diagnosis of neurotoxicity of OS.

METHODS

The study included 90 workers, 50 occupationally exposed to OS and 40 representing control group. Blood samples were collected from the included subjects for determination of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

RESULTS

Revealed reduction in serotonin level and serum iron. However, the elevation in GABA and TIBC was observed. The duration of exposure was significantly correlated with iron and serotonin while it was positively correlated with GABA and TIBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated GABA and TIBC with decreased serotonin and serum iron can be used as early diagnostic measures to detect the neurotoxic effects of OS.

The neuro-ophthalmological effects related to long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents in painters

PURPOSE

Organic solvents are widely used in many industries, and usually, exposure occurs with mixtures of solvents. Organic solvent mixtures are known for their ability to affect tissues of high lipid content including the myelin sheath in the nervous system. The purpose of this work was to study the evidence that long-term (more than 10 years) exposure to organic solvent mixtures among painters can induce neuro-ophthalmological effects on the function of retinal ganglion cells and the optic tract.

METHODS

Twenty workers with long-term occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents were compared to 40 control subjects. The controls were matched for age, gender, and demographic characteristics but were not occupationally exposed to any known organic solvents, using the following comparators: visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), color vision (CV), and contrast sensitivity (CS) testing. Environmental monitoring was done in the work environment with consideration to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH-TLVs).

RESULTS

The exposed group had significantly longer latency and higher amplitude of VEP waves especially P100, higher Color Confusion Index (CCI), especially affecting the blue-yellow spectrum, and lower Log CS. There was no significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups in full-field flash ERG response; however, in the pattern ERG, the exposed group had significantly longer latency of P50, which reflects changes in the retinal ganglion cell.

CONCLUSION

Long-term occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents appeared to affect the optic tract functions in the form of increasing latency of VEP response, affecting the quality of CV and decreasing CS. It also affects the retinal ganglion cell layer with increased latency of P50 of the pattern ERG response.