Car Painters Research Articles

The psychological effects of exposure to mixed organic solvents on car painters

Purpose : Interest in diseases of the nervous system resulting from occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents has greatly increased. The aim of our study was to identify preclinical effects of low-level chronic solvent exposure on the central nervous system in car painters by assessing their cognitive performance. Methods : This psychological study involved 169 clinically healthy male volunteers (84 car painters and 85 controls) and is part of a comprehensive study investigating effects of solvent exposure. The test battery included paper-pencil tests (vocabulary test, block design test, c.i., d2 test), computer-based tests (digit span test, simple-choice reaction time test), and a questionnaire to assess the participants' mental state. Results : Car painters with long-term exposure to solvents showed psychological deviations such as deficits in concentration, memory and reaction time compared to unexposed subjects. The significant differences between the two groups were confirmed by multivariate statistical analysis. Conclusions : Our study displayed psychological effects associated with long-term solvent exposure in concentrations below German threshold limit values. These findings emphasize the necessity to promote the resolute compliance with occupational safety and health regulations in affected companies.

Evaluation of genotoxicity through micronuclei test in workers of car and battery repair garages

In this study, the micronuclei test (MNT) was applied in exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa, in order to evaluate the genotoxic risk associated with occupational exposure of mechanics, storage battery renovation workers, and car painters. For each individual, 3000 exfoliated buccal cells were analyzed. There was a significantly higher frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in the exposed workers than in controls. Smoking and drinking habits, age, and working time did not represent significant factors in terms of increasing the production of micronuclei (MN), when the control and the exposed groups were compared. These results allowed to conclude that the studied individuals belong to a risk group and should periodically undergo biological monitoring and proper care.

Exposure to organic solvents among car painters in Bergen, Norway

Car painters are exposed to organic solvents during their work. Several sets of official regulations have therefore been adopted in Norway in recent years to reduce the exposure. This study evaluated some of the effects of these regulations, by measuring the levels of exposure to organic solvents in six car-painting garages and relating them to the limit values in Norway. Both stationary and personal monitoring were performed. In addition, the occurrence of acute symptoms in the nervous system, skin and upper airways, the use of personal protective equipment and the workers' satisfaction with the ventilation were determined using the results of a questionnaire survey among the car painters from 11 car-painting garages (N=28). A control group of unexposed workers (N=18) was used for comparison. All air samples showed low levels of exposure, far below the limit values. The highest levels were found for toluene; about half the limit value in two garages (11.5 and 12.5 ppm). No significant difference was found between the exposed and unexposed workers in the frequency of acute symptoms. Most workers reported to always use gloves, overalls and respiratory protective equipment during the car painting. The study indicates that the exposure to organic solvents is low in the examined car-painting garages, and the risk of adverse health effects related to organic solvents is probably low in these workplaces.

Exposure to organic solvents among car painters in Bergen, Norway

Car painters are exposed to organic solvents during their work. Several sets of official regulations have therefore been adopted in Norway in recent years to reduce the exposure. This study evaluated some of the effects of these regulations, by measuring the levels of exposure to organic solvents in six car-painting garages and relating them to the limit values in Norway. Both stationary and personal monitoring were performed. In addition, the occurrence of acute symptoms in the nervous system, skin and upper airways, the use of personal protective equipment and the workers’ satisfaction with the ventilation were determined using the results of a questionnaire survey among the car painters from 11 car-painting garages (N=28). A control group of unexposed workers (N=18) was used for comparison. All air samples showed low levels of exposure, far below the limit values. The highest levels were found for toluene; about half the limit value in two garages (11.5 and 12.5 ppm). No significant difference was found between the exposed and unexposed workers in the frequency of acute symptoms. Most workers reported to always use gloves, overalls and respiratory protective equipment during the car painting. The study indicates that the exposure to organic solvents is low in the examined car-painting garages, and the risk of adverse health effects related to organic solvents is probably low in these workplaces.

Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes from car painters

In the present paper we report the results of biological monitoring of a group of 25 car painters working in different automobile shops in Brasília. There was a significantly higher frequency of aneuplodies and chromosome deletions in the peripheral lymphocytes of car painters than in control subjects. We also detected a significant correlation between the time worked as a car painter and the frequency of aneuploidy. Smoking habits do not represent a significant factor in terms of production of the various types of chromosome aberrations among car painters. These results permitted us to conclude that the individuals studied represent a risk group and should be medically followed up with judicious periodic examinations.

Lead concentration and the level of glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, reductase and peroxidase in the blood of some occupational workers from Irbid City, Jordan

Blood samples were collected from 263 lead-exposed suspected males living in Irbid area in the northern part of Jordan. The blood lead concentrations in the samples were determined by atomic absorption and were related to the type of work performed by the workers. The blood lead concentration was higher in metal casters, 41.6, and radiator welders, 32.8 μg/dl, compared to non-suspected lead-exposed university students, 5.7 μg/dl. Workers such as mechanics, bus drivers, car painters and gas station workers showed slightly higher but not significant blood lead. The blood glutathione content and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase were also determined in non-suspected subjects and in those with occupational exposure to lead. With increasing blood lead concentration, glutathione content decreases as well as the activities of the glutathione utilizing enzymes.

Effects within the week on forced vital capacity are correlated with long term changes in pulmonary function: reanalysis of studies on car painters exposed to isocyanate.

To examine if car painters who work with polyurethane paints that contain hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) and hexamethylenediisocyanate biuret trimer (HDI-BT) develop acute as well as chronic impairment of lung function. In this study data were reanalysed from two earlier studies on a group of car painters to see if a decrease in lung function within the week is a marker of vulnerability in those workers. Data on changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) within the week were available for 20 car painters who were also examined six years later. 10 men showed a decline in FVC within the week. There were no significant differences in age, duration of employment, exposures during the follow up period, or smoking between car painters who had decline in lung function within the week and car painters who had not. A significant correlation was found between the change in FVC within the week and the long term (six year) change in FVC, standardised for the effects of aging and smoking, and adjusted for the number of peak exposures. The results suggest that the decrease in FVC within the week might serve as a guide to identify car painters at risk of a further decrement in lung function above the effects of aging, smoking, and exposure.

A Study on the Neurobehavioral Effects of Occupational Exposure to Organic Solvents in Korean Workers

In order to investigate the neurobehavioral effects in workers occupationally exposed to organic solvents in Korea using WHO neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB), a cross-sectional study of 113 male car painters and printers and 81 controls was conducted. Among the seven tests of the NCTB, only four tests-simple reaction time, Santa Ana dexterity, digit symbol, and Benton visual retention tests-were administered to the subjects because of time limitations. Painters and printers were exposed mainly to toluene, xylenes, and methyl ethyl ketone and often to solvent mixtures. The range of the solvent exposure level was 0.10-2.29 of hygienic effect. Poorer performance of Benton visual retention in the exposed group when compared to the control group was found after controlling confounders. No exposure-dependent effect was found. Further investigation with a matched control group regarding confounding factors is required for conclusive results.

Increased Frequency of Chromosomal Aberrations in Railroad Car Painters

The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to paints and solvents contributes to chromosomal alterations in occupationally exposed individuals. A total of 25 male railroad and underground railroad car painters were studied. This group had a mean age of 32.7 y and a mean exposure time of 5.2 y. The results were compared with those obtained for 25 healthy (unexposed) males. The scoring of structural chromosome aberrations clearly revealed an increase in the number of all types of aberrations considered in the population of painters. This suggests that exposure to a combination of chemicals may increase genotoxicity in industrial workers.

Decreased lung function and exposure to diisocyanates (hdi and hdi‐bt) in car repair painters: Observations on re‐examination 6 years after initial study

Thirty-six car painters and 115 control persons participated in a follow-up investigation 6 years after the initial study, including measurement of lung function (dynamic spirometry and nitrogen washout test) and estimation of exposure to diisocyanates based on individual working routines, use of respiratory protection equipment, and measurements. The mean exposure for the car painters was 0.0015 mg/m3 hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) and 0.09 mg/m3 hexamethylenediisocyanate-biurettrimer (HDI-BT), but frequently there were peak exposures exceeding 2.0 mg/m3 HDI-BT for at least 30 sec. Compared with smoking controls, the smoking car painters had greater yearly reduction in FVC (95 versus 38 ml), FEV1 (61 versus 28 ml), and VC (77 versus 30 ml). The nonsmoking car painters showed no differences in lung volumes compared with their nonsmoking controls. The impairment correlated well with the frequency of high peak exposures to HDI-BT, but not with the mean exposure to diisocyanates.

IgG antibodies against polyisocyanates in car painters.

A group of thirty car painters exposed to vapours and aerosols of paint containing prepolymer andmonomer of hexametylene diisocyanate (HDI) was investigated. Specific antibodies against monomer HDI and prepolymerized HDI were analysed with RAST (IgE) and ELISA (IgG) assays after conjugation of the haptens with human serum albumin. There was no significant increase of serum IgG antibodies against HDI monomer, nor of specific IgE antibodies against HDI monomer or prepolymer. Specific IgG antibodies against prepolymerized HDI were significantly increased, as compared with non-exposed referents (medians 0.11 vs 0.03 absorbance (A]. Six car painters were found to have specific IgG antibodies of subclass 4 against HDI prepolymer, four also against HDI monomer. This shows an association between exposure and specific IgG antibodies. Thirteen subjects had suffered symptoms of rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis, and ten had symptoms from the bronchi (two asthma). There was no significant association between symptoms and levels of specific antibodies. Most of the symptoms were slight and unspecific, probably due to irritative effects of the exposure.

Exposure, lung function, and symptoms in car painters exposed to hexamethylendiisocyanate and biuret modified hexamethylendiisocyanate.

Individuals who paint cars often complain to doctors about respiratory problems. Car painters are exposed to isocyanates, especially hexamethylendiisocyanate (HDI), and biuret modified HDI (HDI-BT). The mean exposure to HDI-BT was 115 micrograms/m3 in the air (range 10-385 micrograms/m3), which exceeds the time-weighted Swedish threshold level of 90 micrograms/m3. Exposure to HDI was about 1.0 microgram/m3 with brief peaks. This study investigated the effect of HDI and HDI-BT on lung function and included two control groups: (1) car platers, exposed to the same solvents and grinding dust as car painters, but not to isocyanates, and (2) car mechanics (controls), not exposed to the mentioned agents. Car painters and car platers were compared to car mechanics on Monday before work. Acute effects of car painting were tested by comparing the lung function values on Monday morning with those on Friday afternoon. Pulmonary function was evaluated by means of spirometry and a single breath nitrogen washout. Spirometry in painters and platers did not differ from that in controls, i.e., car mechanics. Closing volume in relation to vital capacity (CV%) was increased in car painters, suggestive of a "small airways disease" on Monday before work and tended to increase during a work week. Car platers did not differ from controls.

Determination in urine of diisocyanate-derived amines from occupational exposure by gas chromatography-mass fragmentography.

Hexane-1,6-diamine was determined in the urine of car painters exposed to paint aerosols based on 1,6-bis(carbonylamino)hexane. The concentration of inhaled functional NCO groups during a 15-min exposure averaged 2.8 ± 0.8 µmol m–3(standard deviation, n= 5). The peak diamine concentration in urine of 63 ± 33 nmol (mmol creatinine)–1(standard deviation, n= 5) occurred 30 min after the end of exposure. The diamine was extracted from the urine with Sep-Pak silica gel cartridges and determined as the perfluoroamide derivative by capillary gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. The determination of diisocyanate-derived diamines in urine offers a selective and sensitive means of biological monitoring of occupational isocyanate exposure.

Health survey of car painters

Journal Article Health survey of car painters Get access C. C. BAKER C. C. BAKER DR South Australian Health Commission, Public Health Service, Savings Bank Building158 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, S.A., Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Occupational Medicine, Volume 35, Issue 2, May 1985, Page 71, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/35.2.71-a Published: 01 May 1985

A Health Survey of Car Painters of Different Ethnic Origin and the Importance of Racial Factors

A Health Survey of Car Painters of Different Ethnic Origin and the Importance of Racial Factors

Increased uptake of serotonin in platelets from car painters occupationally exposed to mixtures of solvents and organic isocyanates.

Twelve car painters occupationally exposed to mixtures of solvents and organic isocyanates were investigated concerning serotonin uptake in platelets. The data from the exposed workers were compared to data from a reference group consisting of 50 nonexposed volunteers. The mean platelet count in whole blood of the exposed workers was markedly lower than the corresponding value of the reference group. Three workers had values below the lower limit of the 95% tolerance interval of the referents. In both groups the serotonin transport strictly obeyed Michaelis-Menten's simple saturation kinetics. Nine of the twelve exposed workers had uptake rates which were significantly higher (p = 0.05) than those of the referents. The obtained data suggest that the present method may be used to reveal early organ damage, prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms, due to intermittent exposure to organic solvents and isocyanates.

Vestibular dysfunction in occupational chronic solvent intoxication.

Neurotoxic volatile organic solvents used by house and car painters may lead to professional toxic encephalopathy after several years of exposure. The symptoms are memory impairment, fatigue, personality changes, headache and dizziness. Vestibular dysfunction was found in 55% of 113 painters examined, mainly in the form of reduced caloric vestibular reactions. No correlation between vestibular dysfunction and the duration of exposure, cerebral atrophy or intellectual impairment could be demonstrated. Vestibular examination may be helpful in detecting early changes in exposed persons and in determining more accurate safety limits for harmful chemicals.

Symptoms of car painters with long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents.

Symptoms as an early sign of the effect of low-level exposure to organic solvents were studied among 102 male car painters and 102 referents with the aid of a symptom questionnaire. The exposure level was about one-third of the current administrative threshold limit value recommended in Finland. In addition to the comparisons of the appearance of single symptoms among the exposed and reference groups partial correlation and factor analyses were performed. Symptoms of fatigue and disturbances in memory and vigilance occurred statistically significantly more often among the exposed than among the referents. When the symptoms during the workshift (acute symptoms) were compared, irritation symptoms and "prenarcotic" symptoms were reported significantly more often in the exposed group. Correlation and factor analyses of the acute symptoms among the car painters suggested that acute symptoms are related at the individual level, as hypothesized on the basis of earlier literature. By means of a questionnaire sent to 124 men who changed employment in the 5 a before this investigation, it was found that health was an important reason for having left the car painting trade for those who had taken jobs without exposure to organic solvents. This finding indicates that those car painters included in this study may have undergone some degree of health selection. The results suggest that a symptom inquiry is helpful for detecting the possible early effects of exposure to a mixture of organic solvents.

Clinical neurological findings among car painters exposed to a mixture of organic solvents.

A full clinical neurological examination was used to study the possible effects of long-term exposure to low concentrations of mixtures of organic solvents on the nervous system. The exposed group consisted of 102 male car painters and the referents of 102 age- and sex-matched locomotive engineers and assistants. The psychoorganic syndrome, a decrease in the sense of light touch and pain, and an increase in the vibration threshold were more frequent among the car painters than among the referents, and the observed differences of these frequencies were statistically significant. The sense of vibration had been affected in the lower extremities of 65 of the 102 car painters and in 25 of the referents. Sensory functions seem to be the most vulnerable part of the nervous system of workers chronically exposed to different organic solvents.

Neurophysiological effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents.

Neurophysiological effects of long-term exposure to a mixture of organic solvents was studied among 102 car painters from 27 car repair garages in Helsinki. The reference group consisted of 102 age-matched railroad engineers from the Finnish State Railways. The mean age was 35 years and the exposure time ranged from 1 to 40 years (mean 14.8, SD 8.5). According to measurements the mean concentration of the solvent mixture was relatively low in the garages, namely, 31.8% of the Finnish threshold limit value (TLV), the range of separate components varying from 4 to 212% of the respective TLVs. The main components of about 20 organic solvents of the mixture were toluene, xylene, butyl acetate and white spirit. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of all the 102 exposed and 102 nonexposed subjects were studied, but electroneuromyographic measurements were made of only 59 car painters and 53 referents with a similar age distribution. Motor (MCV and CVSF) and sensory conduction (SCV) velocities, as well as motor distal latencies, were recorded from nerves in the upper and lower extremities. Abnormal EEGs were encountered in 32 car painters and 37 referents. The frequency of abnormal EEGs was in both groups higher than expected on the basis of EEG literature (about 10%). Twenty-six car painters had a complex of four common symptoms of disturbances in the central nervous system; the same symptom complex was found in 12 engineers. Forty-six percent of the car painters with this symptom complex had an abnormal EEG, while only 26% of those without this symptom complex had an abnormal EEG. Railroad engineers did not show such a tendency. Abnormally slow MCVs or SCVs and/or prolonged motor distal latencies were found in 12 of the 59 car painters but in none of the 53 engineers studied. Other authors have stressed that many solvents primarily cause neuropathy, while objective signs of central nervous involvement have been minor, if any. Our findings are similar; they showed slight positive signs of slowed nerve conduction velocities among the car painters and no increase in EEG abnormalities in comparison to the reference group of railroad engineers.