Acute health effects common during graffiti removal

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify possible health effects ca used by different cleaning agents used in graffiti removal. Methods: In 38 graffiti removers working 8-h shifts in the Stockholm underground system, t he exposure to organic solvents was assessed by active air sampling, biolog ical monitoring, and by interviews and a questionnaire. Health effects were registered, by physical examinations. porta7ble spirometers and self-admin istered questionnaires. The prevalence of symptoms was compared with 49 con trols working at the underground depots. and with 177 population controls. Results: The 8-h time-weigh ted average exposures (TWA) were low, below 20% of the Swedish permissible exposure limit value (PEL) for all solvents. Th e short-term exposures occasionally exceeded the Swedish short-term exposur e limit values (STEL), especially during work in poorly ventilated spaces, e.g. in elevators. The graffiti removers reported significantly higher prev alence of tiredness and upper airway symptoms compared with the depot contr ols, and significantly more tiredness, headaches and symptoms affecting air ways, eyes and skin than the population controls. Among the graffiti remove rs, some of the symptoms increased during the working day. On a group basis , the lung function registrations showed normal values. However, seven work ers displayed a clear reduction of peak expiratory flow (PEF) over the work ing shift. Conclusions: Though their average exposure to organic solvents w as low, the graffiti removers reported significantly higher prevalence of u nspecific symptoms such as fatigue and headache as well as irritative sympt oms from the eyes and respiratory tract, compared with the controls. To pre vent adverse health effects it is important to inform the workers about the health risks, and to restrict use of the most hazardous chemicals. Further more, it is important to develop good working practices and to encourage th e use of personal protective equipment.