Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

18.3 Indoor air pollution by solvents 1243
Immission processes of solvents from paints and varnishes are determined by surrounding
conditions: e.g., parameters of the ambient air, indoor air parameters, e.g., ventilation
(ventilation rates), air distribution, air movements, composition of ambient air,
concentrations of air compounds, humidity, temperature, volume of the indoor air, extreme
conditions (e.g., worst case).
18.3.4 EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF SOLVENTS FROM PAINTS AND
VARNISHES
Only the effects resulting directly from the exposure to paints and varnish solvent are discussed
in this chapter. For the effects of other solvents, see Chapter 20.1.
18.3.4.1 Exposure
Usually the effects of solvents in paints and varnishes on health are dependent on
concentration and exposure time. Adverse health effects may follow exposure to paints,
varnishes and their solvents at the workplace. The conditions at paint and lacquer manufacturing
sites (e.g., manufacturing methods, use of exhaust hoods, etc.) are responsible for the
levels of evaporated solvents measured in the air. 24 Adverse health effects depend on how
the paint is applied, paint properties and working conditions (e.g., increased risk with spray
painting). There is sufficient evidence to substantiate the fact that solvents to which painters
have been exposed, are responsible for incidences of cancer. However, within paint manufacturing
plants, this evidence is inadequate. 25
Nevertheless, person working at home, occupants of painted rooms and children of
parents which have been exposed are also at risk. Those involved with the abuse of solvents
as a psychoactive substance (e.g., aromatic hydrocarbons in spray paints, mainly semi-volatile
or nonvolatile components) are at a much higher risk.
The main path of entry of solvents from paints and varnishes to the body is by inhalation.
Volatile paint compounds present a particularly high risk as do some forms of paint application
(e.g., spray painting with the risk of inhalation of even less volatile and nonvolatile
paint components). Other pathways should, however, also be considered as dermal contact.
In addition to solvents, other compounds from paints and varnishes can cause various
diseases, often similar to the effects caused by solvents (e.g., asbestos as paint filler or in the
construction and shipyard industry, silica, dusts, thermal decomposition products, contaminations
of solvents, chromium, iron and lead compounds in paint pigments). It is often difficult
to associate a particular components of paints and varnishes with adverse health effects.
In most cases, the paint and varnish products were found to be a relevant cause of illness, but
their individual compounds were not.
18.3.4.2 Health effects
18.3.4.2.1 Toxic responses of skin and mucose membranes
The following symptoms involving the skin and mucose membranes may occur as a result
of using paints and varnishes:
• Irritations of skin and mucose membranes
• Allergic diseases of skin and mucose membranes
• Removal of grease from skin (removal of sebaceous matter, with subsequent
adverse skin conditions such as infection)
• Changes in the lens of the eye and corneal changes
• Absorption of solvents through the skin (e.g, benzene, toluene, xylene, methyl
alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, glycol ethers)