Respiratory hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde and solvents in acid-curing paints.
Thirty-eight employees exposed to formaldehyde when working with acid-hardening lacquers and 18 nonexposed control persons employed at the same company were examined to determine lung function (spirometry and nitrogen washout), total immunoglobulin blood concentration, and work-related symptoms. The mean exposure to formaldehyde during an 8-hr workday was 0.40 mg/m3 air, and the mean exposure to peak values was 0.70 mg/m3. Mean exposure to solvents was low, i.e., approximately 1/10 of the hygienic effect. Eye, nose, and throat irritation was more common in exposed persons than in controls. Monday morning, after two exposure-free days, forced vital capacity (FVC) values were found to have declined by 0.24 L and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1.0) by 0.21 L, compared with normal values. There was a weak correlation between the individual concentration of IgG and decrease in FVC and FEV1.0. No significant changes were noted in any other lung function variable before a workshift, and no lung function changes were noted over a full workshift. Deviations in FVC and FEV1.0 values did not correlate to peaks or mean exposures or employment time.
Alexandersson
R
R
Department of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hedenstierna
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D010150:Paint; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012997:Solvents; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007073:Immunoglobulin E