Background: There are different and diverse groups of paints, the potential toxicity of which depends on the types of pigments, resins and solvents used in their manufacture. Numerous recent evidences support the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiologyof genotoxicity induced by the exposure to solvent based paints. Indeed powder coatings were considered as safer than other types of paintings. Recently however health problems when handling or using a powder coating may arise through exposure to hazardous substances, which may be contained in the coatings, or to the powder
coating itself. Objectives: to evaluate the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to paints and the possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of chromosomal aberrations, and to compare these effects between workers exposed to solvent based paints and workers exposed to powder coatings (dry paints) which are considered as a safer alternative to solvent based paints. Subjects: The study population consisted of 65 males divided into 34 exposed and 31 control groups. The exposed group was comprised of all workers exposed to paint in the painting unit of a small scale factory in
Cairo involved in furniture production and painting. The exposed workers were further subdivided into two subgroups, group 1 (n=23) comprised workers occupationally exposed to solvent based paints, and group 2 (n=11) comprised workers exposed to dry powder coating type of painting. Methods: every individual was subjected to detailed
occupational and medical history, cytogenetic chromosomal analysis and laboratory investigations to evaluate the level of oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde  (MDA), Peroxynitrile (PN) and Total Sulphydril Groups (SHG). Results: The
chromosomal aberrations and oxidative stress (higher MDA and PN and lower SHG) were significantly higher in the painters group compared to the control. The mean level of all aberrations except separation was highest in group 1 (solvent based painters) compared to group 2 (powder dry painters) and control group, and the difference was
highly significant between group 1 and group 2 for all aberrations. The mean level of aberrations was higher in group 2 compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant for all except for break/ gap type aberrations. Oxidative stress was evident in group 1compared to group2 and the control group. On the other hand, oxidative stress was more evident in group 2 compared to the control and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study confirms other studies that claim the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of genotoxicity in painters especially those exposed to solvent based paints. The higher level in the chromosonmal aberrations and oxidative stress indicators in the dry powder coating exposed workers compared to the control, indeed raises suspicion that powder coatings is a “Safer Alternative to Solvent Based Paints". Adopting safe working procedures will definitely reduce the
risks to a minimum.