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Solvent exposure in construction and maintenance painting.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|August 1, 1984
Summary
Interior house painters exposed to solvent naphtha had average breathing zone concentrations of 40 ppm. Factors like room size and ventilation significantly impacted solvent levels, with drafts reducing exposure by two-thirds.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Solvent exposure is a concern in interior house painting.
- Understanding factors influencing solvent concentrations is crucial for worker safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify solvent naphtha exposure in interior house painters.
- To investigate the impact of various factors on solvent concentrations.
- To assess the cumulative dose of solvent naphtha for painters.
Main Methods:
- Industrial hygiene surveys and work history questionnaires were employed.
- Painting work was observed across 92 situations at 18 sites.
- Measurements considered work area size, air volume, paint type, application method, and ventilation.
Main Results:
- Solvent naphtha concentrations averaged 275 ppm in small, poorly ventilated rooms with alkyd paints.
- Wall/ceiling painting averaged 210 ppm, while window/door painting averaged 80 ppm.
- A strong draft reduced solvent concentrations by approximately 67%.
Conclusions:
- Painter exposure to solvent naphtha is influenced by environmental and work practices.
- Ventilation, particularly drafts, plays a significant role in reducing exposure.
- Lifetime and annual solvent naphtha doses were quantified, showing a decreasing trend over time.