Respiratory Morbidity in Spray Paint Workers in an Automobile Sector

Background: Occupational Asthma (OA) is a major cause of respiratory morbidity and the most common cause of non acute lung disease in the industrialized world. The incidence of OA in developed country is increasing, while in developing countries is still unknown. Automobile is a place where workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and toxic substances. In automobile industry work floor assembly lines chassis move continuously and pass by "Robot Painter" that spray them and workers assemble the chassis. The paint that is used contains isocyanate (Low molecular weight compound) which is most frequent agent responsible for OA.

Objective: The present study is under taken to assess respiratory morbidity of paint workers in terms of obstructive and restrictive lung pattern and to study relationship between duration of exposure and their respiratory morbid state.

Method: This cross sectional study included 70 car spray paint workers, who are working for 1-6 years in an automobile shop. A pre structured questionnaire was used to record the clinical, sociodemographic profile and clinical examination. Pulmonary function parameters were recorded by a computerized spirometer- Medspiror during their working hours. Chi square and independent t test were applied.

Results: Sixty workers had normal lung functions. The nine isocyanate exposed workers showed significant reduction in FEV1/FVC (p5yrs).

Conclusion: With irregular usage of preventive measures like face mask, goggle, coat and the low levels of long term exposure to isocyanate can cause respiratory morbidity as isocyanate induced occupational asthma.