Neurobehavioral effects and hormones profile among spray painters

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 spray painters and 35 control subjects to evaluate neurobehavioral function, and thyroid and reproductive hormones profile. This study indicated higher prevalence of psychological and neurological symptoms, and clinical findings among spray painters when compared with controls. Levels of TSH were significantly (p<0.01) elevated in spray painters over the control group (3.04 +/- 1.53 vs 1.88 +/- 1.07 microIU/ml, mean +/- SD), respectively. Two of the 25 spray painters acquired sub-clinical hypothyroidism, and one subject was detected with overt hypothyroidism. T4 levels were significantly (p<0.05) suppressed in spray painters while T3 was not changed significantly in both the groups. Reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, and testosterone) showed no significant changes in control and spray-painting group. However, two spray painters had abnormally high level of LH (26.43 and 12.22 IU/l; normal range 0.5-10 IU/l). These subjects were also found to have abnormally higher level of FSH (38.63 and 14.11 IU/l; normal range 1.3-11.5 IU/l). An isolated higher level of FSH (39.94 IU/l) was also observed in one spray painter. No abnormality in the level of LH was observed in control group while 3 subjects from this group had abnormally high level of FSH. Testosterone levels were under the normal range (3-12 ng/ ml) in both the groups. This study might suggest that spray painters are at risk of developing neurobehavioral, thyroid and reproductive problems.