RESUMO
Water-based paints have beneficial effects towards occupational and environmental health when compared to traditional paints that contain large amounts of organic solvents. Paint manufacturers have reduced the amount of volatile solvents by switching to water-based paints. However, most still contain a proportion of volatile solvents, thus retaining the potential to affect the central nervous system with special emphasis on the neurobehavioral performance of the exposed workers. To assess neurobehavioral performance among workers occupationally exposed to water-based paints. This study was conducted at small scale water-based paints factory in Egypt. Sixty-eight workers [mean duration of exposure was 6.5 years] were selected as an exposed group. Control group [n = 68] was recruited among workers' relatives who never worked with any type of paints. Neurobehavioral test battery was administered to all participants. The battery included tests of Similarities, Letter Cancellation, Trail-making part A and B, Digit Span, Symbol Digit and Spielberger's State-Trait Personality Inventory [STPI]. Ambient air samples were collected during regular working hours and analyzed for detection of toxic chemicals. After adjustment for potential confounders, exposed workers showed lower performance in all administered tests as compared to the control group. However, significant differences were found only in Symbol Digit, Trailmaking B and Spielberger's State-Trait Personality Inventory [STPI]. Ambient air monitoring showed presence of acrylates [1.8 mg/m[3]], formaldehyde [0.5 mg/m[3]] and ammonia [0.04 mg/m[3]]. Neurobehavioral assessment can be used as a valid, easily administered, non-expensive tool for early detection of neurotoxic effects of different exposures including water based paints. Health disorders in this industry can be reduced by replacing some toxic compounds with less toxic alternatives and by proper hygienic and ventilation measures