Development of Solvent Exposure Index for Construction Painters

Abstract

This article describes methodological approaches for reconstructing long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents among construction painters. A detailed exposure questionnaire was administered to 125 painters to develop a job exposure matrix (JEM). The questionnaire inquired about painting activities with solvent-based paints and use of protection equipment for the previous 25 years in 5-year intervals. Current and historical distributions of solvent air concentrations were assessed for the same time period based on the following information: industrial hygiene measurements, paint composition changes, and VOC emission rate changes from architectural and industrial maintenance coatings. Changes in protection factors of respirators were also assessed. A cumulative solvent exposure index was calculated for each painter through Monte Carlo simulations by combining appropriate input distributions of solvent air concentrations and protection factors of respirators with JEM. Sensitivity simulations revealed that the historical variations in solvent air concentrations had a higher impact on the cumulative solvent exposure index than changes in protection factors for respirators. Fifty-eight percent of painters were classified with a different exposure quartile when the solvent exposure index was used vs. an exposure based only on years using solvent-based paints, suggesting the need for more detailed exposure analysis than just years working when conducting epidemiologic studies for this worker population.

Chronic Exposure to Solvents Among Construction Painters

“…Estimates of exposure were then modified by current and historical solvent air concentrations from field measurements and an extensive search of industrial, governmental, and academic databases. (59) In addition, our solvent exposure index predicted reduced neural activation (fMRI) during a working memory task, thereby substantiating the predictive validity of our exposure assessment method against a biological measurement of cognitive performance. (39) Nevertheless, any exposure index based on historical recall is subject to inaccuracies and recall bias that could result in random misclassification.…”

“…Typical workplace air concentrations of solvents and emission of solvents from paint products have steadily declined over the past 20 years. (59) Although our study documented some associations between the solvent exposure index and individual measures of behavioral performance, these associations reflected relatively small differences and were not seen across all measures within a domain. In addition, many solvent exposed participants reported using protective equipment when at most risk for high exposure such as during spray painting activities.…”

“…Solvent exposure ranged from a minimum of 0.95 to 5942.24 ppm years and were skewed to the right with approximately 4 orders of magnitude difference between the lowest and highest exposure percentile. (59) Table 2 displays the demographics for the final subject groups (Exposed = 133; Controls = 78). Controls were slightly but significantly older than the exposed subjects, but the groups were similar in level of education and gender (one exposed was female).…”

“…Lifetime exposure index for each subject is expressed in parts per million years. Details of the exposure modeling and exposure index calculation are included in Wang et al(59)…”

Exposure Characteristics of Construction Painters to Organic Solvents

“…While estimating the past exposure levels, we should consider the painting method (spray, roller, brush), painting time, and use of respiratory protective equipment. Wang et al [11] reported that the most influential environmental factors affecting TVOC concentrations were the painting method (spray, roller, brush) and painting time. In addition, spray-type painting while wearing respiratory protective equipment generates higher TVOC concentrations than roller- and brush-type painting even without wearing respiratory protective equipment.…”