PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Background Paint industry workers are constantly exposed to paints and organic solvents that contain a substantial quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOC emissions could result in pulmonary, neurobehavioral, and hematological consequences. Limited studies have been undertaken in India to assess the health consequences of VOCs among paint industry workers in unorganized sectors. Aim To assess the effects of VOCs on pulmonary function in paint industry workers of unorganized sectors. Methodology A hundred and twenty full-time male construction painters and small-scale paint manufacturing workers aged 25-60 were assessed for respiratory symptoms using a questionnaire, and pulmonary functions using Wright\'s Peak Expiratory Flow Meter (PEFR). Participants were randomly selected for VOC assessment and the cumulative solvent exposure index was calculated. A pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed on a subset of construction painters (n=30) using a Koko spirometer. Results The concentration of VOCs such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene (BETX) and dichloromethane levels exceeded American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) among the paint manufacturing workers. About 52% of paint workers reported respiratory symptoms. Around 22% of the participants showed reduced pulmonary function (PEFR<400 L/min). There was a significant weak negative correlation between PEFR and work experience (r = -0.2, p=0.03). PFT parameters among a subset of construction painters revealed a significant moderate negative correlation with work experience [forced expiratory volume at the onset of the first second (FEV1) (r = -0.6, p=0.001) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.53, p=0.005)] and cumulative VOC exposure index [FEV1 (r = -0.53, p = 0.004) and FVC (r = -0.5, p = 0.008)]. Conclusion The concentration of VOCs was higher among paint industry workers of unorganized sectors and they reported respiratory symptoms and diminished pulmonary function. To reduce morbidity, it is critical to enhance awareness about occupational safety and services in these unorganized sectors.
摘要：
背景技术油漆工业工人经常暴露于含有大量挥发性有机化合物(VOC)的油漆和有机溶剂。暴露于VOC排放可能导致肺部，神经行为学,和血液学后果。印度已经进行了有限的研究，以评估无组织部门涂料行业工人中VOC的健康后果。目的评估挥发性有机化合物对无组织部门涂料行业工人肺功能的影响。方法对一百二十名25-60岁的全职男性建筑油漆工和小规模油漆制造工人进行呼吸道症状评估，使用Wright的峰值呼气流量计（PEFR）和肺功能。随机选择参与者进行VOC评估，并计算累积溶剂暴露指数。使用Koko肺活量计对一部分建筑画家（n=30）进行了肺功能测试（PFT）。结果苯等VOCs浓度,乙苯,甲苯,二甲苯（BETX）和二氯甲烷的含量超过了涂料制造工人中美国政府工业卫生学家会议（ACGIH）阈值限值（TLV）。大约52％的油漆工人报告了呼吸道症状。约22％的参与者显示肺功能降低（PEFR<400L/min）。PEFR与工作经验之间存在显著的弱负相关(r=-0.2,p=0.03)。部分建筑画家的PFT参数显示，与工作经验[第一秒开始时的用力呼气量（FEV1）（r=-0.6，p=0.001）和用力肺活量（FVC）（r=-0.53，p=0.005）]和累积VOC暴露指数[FEV1（r=-0.53，p=0.004）和FVC（r=-0.5，p=8）之间存在显着的中度负相关。结论无组织部门油漆行业工人的VOCs浓度较高，他们报告了呼吸道症状和肺功能减弱。为了减少发病率，提高这些无组织部门对职业安全和服务的认识至关重要。
