AIRWAY SYMPTOMS AMONG HOUSE PAINTERS IN RELATION TO EXPOSURE TO VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS)-A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

摘要

The increased use of water-based paint (WBP) for indoor application during the last decade has drastically changed the exposure conditions for Swedish house painters. WBP has a lower emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than solvent-based paint (SBP), but contains more reactive compounds, such as biocides, glycol ethers, and other high molecular solvents. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of airway symptoms and self-reported asthma in house painters with a different degree of use of WBP and SBP. The incidence of seven general airway symptoms, and three work-related symptoms, was analysed by means of a self- administered questionnaire, in a cohort of 207 house painters followed from 1989 to 1992.