RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A paint factory or manufacturing is a vocation characterized by exposure to chemical hazards during production. Paint exposure plays a great role in the incidence of several health problems, particularly respiratory diseases. The study aims to assess the pattern of spirometric indices among the study population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of paint factory workers (PFWs) assesses their spirometric findings in Delta State, Nigeria. The participants for this study were divided into two groups; the PFWs and the non-PFWs (NPFW) which serve as the control group. Hundred and 200 participants were recruited for the study group and control, respectively. RESULTS: Among the participants in the paint worker cohort, 45 individuals (45.0%) had been employed for less than five years while 14 (14.0%) had worked over 10 years. Eighty-eight (88%) are aware of PPE; however, only 12 (12.0%) use them always. Findings show that 178 (89.0%) vs. seven (7.0%) of NPFW and PFW had normal pulmonary function tests. The spirometric abnormalities within the PFW group were obstructive lung disease affecting 59 (59.0%) of the cohort while 34 (34.0%) had restrictive lung patterns. CONCLUSION: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from paint fumes is associated with spirometric abnormalities with obstructive patterns more predominant than restrictive patterns.