Industrial painters

Industrial painting involves the application of paint and coatings to various surfaces, and it is a process that can expose workers to a range of chemical hazards.

Prior to painting the industrial painters prepare the surfaces by cleaning and sanding to ensure proper adhesion of paint or coatings. This may involve removing old paint and rust which might emit harmful contaminants. For instance, when removing lead-based paint, the painters are exposed to inorganic lead. After surface cleaning the painters use various methods to apply paint and coatings, such as spray guns, rollers and brushes. Paint and coatings are applied on a range of structures and surfaces like steel structures, bridges, buildings, cars and other vehicles, aircraft, ships, assembly lines and structural components.

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There are various types of paint, each with unique properties and uses. Common chemicals found in paint formulations include:

Solvents/Diluents

These help to achieve the desired viscosity and flow of the paint. They can range from water in latex paints to organic solvents like toluene, xylene, ketones and alcohols in oil-based paints.

Binders/Vehicles/Resins

Binders are important for forming the paint film and ensuring that pigments adhere to the painted surface. Examples include acrylic, epoxy, and alkyd resins.

Pigments and fillers

Pigments provide color and opacity to paint. They can be organic or inorganic, such as titanium dioxide for white pigment, chromium for green and iron oxides for reds and yellow. Lead, which was commonly used in the past, has been decreased due to its toxicity.

Additives

These are included in small quantities for improved adhesion, UV protection, or for preservation.

Painters and paint factory workers may be exposed to these chemicals through inhalation or dermal absorption. Organic solvents can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to acute symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and nausea, as well as chronic effects including skin irritation and central nervous system depression. Epoxy resin is known to cause skin irritation and sensitization, which may result in dermatitis characterized by dry, blistered, or cracked skin. Isothiazolinones, often found in paint preservatives, can also trigger allergic contact dermatitis, presenting as itchy, red, or swollen skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified occupational exposure as a painter in Group 1, indicating that it is carcinogenic to humans.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves and goggles should be used to minimize direct contact with harmful chemicals during brushing and spray painting. Respirators should be used in spray painting. Ensuring proper ventilation in the workspace is also essential to disperse toxic fumes and reduce inhalation. Employers should ensure that safety data sheets (SDS) are readily available and that workers are trained to understand and follow the information provided on chemical labels.