AIRWAY SYMPTOMS AMONG HOUSE PAINTERS IN RELATION TO EXPOSURE TO VOLATILE ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS (VOCS) - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

The increased use of water-based paint (WBP) for indoor application du ring the last decade has drastically changed the exposure conditions f or Swedish house painters. WBP has a lower emission of volatile organi c compounds (VOCs) than solvent-based paint (SBP), but contains more r eactive compounds, such as biocides, glycol ethers, and other high mol ecular solvents. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of airway symptoms and self-reported asthma in house painters with a dif ferent degree of use of WBP and SBP. The incidence of seven general ai rway symptoms, and three work-related symptoms, was analysed by means of a self-administered questionnaire, in a cohort of 207 house painter s followed from 1989 to 1992. Different airway symptoms were compared with clinical information obtained by a methacholine challenge test an d dynamic spirometry in a selected subgroup of 44 painters. Informatio n on the degree of use of SBP and WBP was used to estimate the total e xposure to volatile organic compounds (TVOC) for each individual. In t otal, 175 men in the cohort worked as painters during the study period . No increase of asthma or respiratory symptoms was observed among tho se 50 painters with a pure exposure to WBP (estimated TVOC 1-3 mg m(-3 )). Most painters (N = 125) had a mixed exposure to SEP and WBP, the m ain source of the TVOC being the limited use of SBP. WBP was perceived as less irritative than SBP, but complaints on airway irritation from WBP increased during the study period. The most pronounced increase o f airway irritation in relation to both SBP and WBP, was observed amon g those 35 painters with the highest solvent exposure (estimated TVOC 100-380 mg m(-3)). An increase of respiratory symptom index and shortn ess of breath, in relation to estimated TVOC exposure was also observe d. Selection effects were detected. Painters leaving their job during the study period had more non-specific hyper-reactivity symptoms, and more airway irritation from WBP, as compared to painters remaining at their occupation. Our study indicates that VOC emissions from SBPs may contribute to the development of respiratory symptoms and airway irri tation. We found no increase of respiratory symptoms among painters ex posed only to WBPs. There were, however, indications that VOC exposure from WBPs may cause airway irritation in some subjects. Because of se lection effects, cross-sectional studies on respiratory symptoms in re lation to occupational exposure to paint emissions may be inconclusive . (C) 1997 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.