Painting and CNS Effects

Adverse CNS effects (including neuropsychiatric disorders, mental symptoms, and neurobehavioral performance are observed following exposures to solvent mixtures at levels well below accepted threshold 

Even short-term exposure to low levels of mixtures of lipophiles and hydrophiles can produce adverse neurological effects. Printers and spray painters so exposed to mixtures primarily containing //-hexane (3.90) and isopropanol (0.05) were found to have neurological symptoms, including polyneuropathy and diminished ankle reflexes. 16  

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Exposure to waterborne paints is known to induce acute and chronic dermal, respiratory, and CNS effects. 11 All the chemicals listed in Table 12.4 are individually toxic 13 anc[ mixtures of many of these are known to induce unanticipated toxic effects in humans. 14 ... 

The studies that considered mixtures empirically found respiratory system and CNS effects from exposures to low-level carpet emissions [14,27], Another consideration is the temperature that carpet is exposed to. The amounts and the nature of VOCs emitted from carpets (as well as from paints, tiles, woods, and other materials) are temperature dependent. Higher temperatures not only accelerate the release of volatiles, but also result in the release of compounds not emitted at lower temperatures [28]. 

Nine women exposed to a room painted with a DNOC-containing paint showed evidence of liver toxicity and adverse CNS effects. 

Adverse CNS effects (including neuropsychiatric disorders, mental symptoms, and neurobehavioral performance) are observed following exposures to solvent mixtures at levels well below accepted TLVs [13]. The neurotoxicity of n-hexane (3.90) is potentiated by 2-butanone (0.29), which itself exhibits little or no neurotoxicity to humans [14]. In one study, 100 automobile painters who had long-term exposure to car paint fumes composed of toluene (2.73), xylene (3.15), aliphatic hydrocarbons (3.90-5.50), ethanol (-0.31), isopropanol (0.05), butanol (0.88), ethyl acetate (0.73), butyl acetate (1.78), acetone (—0.17), MEK (0.29), MIBK (1.19), and pinene (4.83) at mean concentrations far below TLVs were shown to have impairments in psychological performances as well as personahty changes compared to 102 control individuals [15]. 

Chloroform 300 Profound CNS, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepato-renal, dermal, carcinogen toxic effects Used widely in industry solvents, chemical intermediates, propellants, fumigants, degreasers, paint and varnish remover 0.1-0.2 pg/1 by purge-and-trap and liquid-liquid extraction in combination with a chromatographic system 0.1 pg/1 by GC-ECD 2.2 pg/1 by GC-MS... 

Inhalants depress the CNS, producing decreased respiration and blood pressure. Users report distortion in perceptions of time and space. Many users experience headaches, nausea, slurred speech, and loss of motor coordination. Mental effects may include fear, anxiety, or depression. A rash around the nose and mouth may be seen, and the abuser may start wheezing. An odor of paint or organic solvents on clothes, skin, and breath is sometimes a sign of inhalant abuse. Other indicators of inhalant abuse include slurred speech or staggering gait red, glassy, watery eyes and excitability or unpredictable behavior. 

Methyl chloride, methylene dichloride. Colourless liquid, bp 40-41°C. Industrial solvent and paint remover. Fumigant. Rapidly metabolized to carbon monoxide produces carboxy-Hb. Irritant to eyes and skin blistering on prolonged contact. Anaesthetic effects on CNS coma, death. 

Benzene 10 Highly toxic, profound CNS and bone narrow toxic effects, risks for leukemia In degreasing operations, printing, electronics and rubber manufacture, paints, solvents and intermediates for chemical synthesis 0.2 pg/1 by GC with photoionization detectimi and confirmation by MS... 

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