Introduction: Painters are among the highly and chronically exposed occupational groups either in industrial or commercial field. The health effects of organic solvents have been known for more than a century either from occupational exposure or from organic solvent abuse. Long term heavy solvent exposure is hazardous to the nervous system, hepatic, renal, blood and other body systems. Aim of the study: to assess the different health hazards encountered in the painting
industry with special reference to the effects of organic solvents and toluene as the major solvents used and to assess the effectiveness of urinary orthocresol as a biological indicator of exposure.Subjects and Methods: The studied population comprised 68 individuals divided into exposed and control groups. The workers were all males with age ranging from 31 to 55 years with a mean value of (40.74 ±1.63). The duration of exposure ranged from 9 to 30 years. The age of the control group ranged from 30- 58 years with a mean of (48.33+1.85). All workers were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire about presence of neuropsychological, respiratory, renal, hepatic and hematological symptoms.
Detailed personal, medical and occupational history were included. Thorough physical examination was done. Complete blood picture, liver function tests, kidney function tests, serum electrolytes, ventilatory function tests , urinary o-cresol level and urine analysis were also done. Results: Liver fnction tests showed no statistically significant difference between the exposed workers and the control groups. In correlation with duration of exposure statistically significant difference was found between exposed workers as regards SGPT level. Complete blood picture results showed normal levels with no difference between exposed and controls; but some parameters decreased with increased duration of exposure.
Urinary o-cresol level showed a statistically significant difference between exposed workers and control group (p-value 0.000). Ventilatory functions of the studied groups showed that exposed workers had lower values of all parameters measured. Conclusion: The results strengthen the relationship between the different health hazards
encountered in painting industry and the duration of exposure. Hematological, immunological and cardiovascular effects are further suggested and should be tested thoroughly in future studies.