Paint Sprayer

Mixing, spraying and curing isocyanate paint should be done wearing full breathing apparatus in a place where others cannot be exposed (a fully enclosed spray booth). Cleaning and storage of spray painting equipment should also take place in the booth. You should have regular checks if you are working with isocyanate spray paints. If you think you are getting asthma, see you occupational doctor, and start keeping peak flow records

Spray painters using two pack paints have the highest risk of occupational asthma. Two pack paints used to use HDI (the most volatile) or TDI (slightly less volatile). They have been largely replaced by isocyanate prepolymers (or polyisocyanates). These are of larger molecular weight and are not listed as isocyanates in some data sheets. In my experience they still result in occupational asthma when inhaled.

References

	Leffler CT, Milton DK, Occupational asthma and contact dermatitis in a spray painter after introduction of an aziridine cross-linker, Environ Health Perspect, 1999;107:599-601,

	Ndiaye M, Fall C, Ndir M, Mbaye I, Ba O, Cissokho S, Dia M, Kandji M, Seck G, Sow ML, Hane AA, Occupational asthma in a Senegalese car sprayer. Diagnostic and medico-legal problems, Rev Mal Respir, 1999;16:199-203,

	Cullen MR, Redlich CA, Beckett WS, Weltmann B, Sparer J, Jackson G, Ruff T, Rubinstein E, Holden W, Feasibility study of respiratory questionnaire and peak flow recordings in autobody shop workers exposed to isocyanate-containing spray paint: observations and limitations, Occup Med (London), 1996;46:197-204,

	Whig J, Bansal B, Mahajan R, Work place challenge: spirometric response in polyurethane (isocyanate) paint workers, Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci, 1994;36:73-76,

	Seguin P, Allard A, Cartier A, Malo JL, Prevalence of occupational asthma in spray painters exposed to several types of isocyanates, including polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate, JOM, 1987;29:340-344,

	Kato S, Kirii K, Osanai K, Sato S, Takahashi K, A case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis probally due to isocyanate in a polyurethane paint sprayer, Jap J Thoracic Dis, 1986;24:1013-1017,

	Lee WR, ScottAR, Isocyanate in a paint spraying workshop, Br Med J, 1986;292:313,

	Belin L, Hjortsberg U, Life threatening pulmonary reaction from car paint containing prepolymerized isocyanate, Scand J Environ Health, 1981;7:310-311,

	Tyrer FH, Hazards of spraying with two-pack paints containing isocyanates, J Soc Occup Med, 1979;29:22-24,

	Cockcroft DW, Mink JT, Isocyanate-induced asthma in an automobile spray painter, Can Med Assoc J, 1979;121:602-604,

	Marechal MJ, Irritation and respiratory allergy in spray painters using chrome yellow, Arch Mal Prof, 1957;18:248-24*,

Related pages

			Shield
			Isocyanates

Links

	Isocyanate information from NIOSH (US)
Resources and information on Isocyantes from the National Institiute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH (US).
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/

	HSE (UK) advice for vehicle spray painters
Guidance, advice and resources on paint spraying from the health and Safety Executive (UK)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/vehicle.htm

Comments