Respiratory changes and sputum cytology in spray painters

ABSTRACT

Occupational exposure to paints affect several organ systems mainly central and peripheral nervous systems, liver, respiratory system.etc. The aim of this study was to investigate job-related respiratory troubles among spray painters. Two groups of population had been examined, 74 spray painters and 30 controls. Our results showed that job-related respiratory symptoms in the form of irritation of upper respiratory tract, dyspnea during work, chest oppression, cough and expectoration and bronchial asthma, were significantly increased among the exposed group when compared to the control group. Results of ventilatory function tests showed significant decrease in spirometric results among painters compared to the control subjects. The effect of duration of exposure on the pulmonary function tests revealed statistically significant decrease with increasing duration of exposure to paints. The group of mixers was the highly affected group. Cytological examination of the sputum of 24 exposed workers revealed the presence of polymorphnuclear leucocytes in 58.3%, plasma cell, histiocytes and lymphocytes in 75.0% and eosinophilia in 50.0%. No malignancy could be detected. We recommended periodic environmental monitoring for the work place and stressed health education programs for exposed workers