Respiratory disorders contracted during occupational exposure to chemical reagents largely depend on the nature of the solvents. Thus, for example, inhaling paint fumes over long periods of time can lead to the development of cancer in the lungs, upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and even the nose and mouth.
Solvents…carcinogenic or not?
Scientific evidence and statistical studies carried out in Europe show that occupational exposure to solvents can lead to the development of various diseases of the respiratory system. Such diseases may be either chronic, developing over a long period of time and causing lifelong symptoms, or acute. Respiratory disorders contracted during occupational exposure to chemical reagents largely depend on the nature of the solvents. Thus, for example, inhaling paint fumes over a long period of time can lead to the development of cancer of the lungs, upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and even the tissues of the nose and mouth, which, through inhalation, are the first to be exposed to carcinogens.
Other health hazards associated with solvent exposure include toxicity to the nervous system, reproductive damage, liver and kidney damage, respiratory impairment, cancer, and dermatitis among others. To prevent problems to the health of workers, air purifying respiratory protective devices (RPD) should be used. It is also advisable to distinguish between the different types of solvents. It is also useful to identify the solvents which cause cancer and take into account the chemical and biological composition as well as the molecule size when selecting the most suitable filters and facepieces to be used. The subdivision of paint into “water-based, solvent-based or powder-based paints” is no longer enough, because, despite the fact that a large part of the solvents available is carcinogenic, there is still a lot of confusion among workers.
Protection against carcinogenic solvents
As already mentioned, for appropriate protection against solvent dust and molecules, suitable filtering facepieces are to be worn. Many tests, both scientific and rule of thumb, have shown that using appropriate air filtering face masks reduces the likelihood of developing respiratory disorders. Moreover, it is often recommended to use helmeted respirators which help to further reduce the probability of disease development. The protective helmets and the face masks on the market are specifically designed to protect workers. These devices may be equipped with blower units fitted with filters and powered by batteries having a running time of over 8 hours. Workers can, thus, continue working without breaks for long periods of time, minimizing the risk of contracting different, dangerous disorders of the respiratory system. Helmeted respirators, furthermore, protect the head, face, ears as well as the eyes against exposure to harmful agents. There are currently various studies underway worldwide to further reduce the risk of disease development for all operators working with solvents which are carcinogenic or simply hazardous to human health.
Kasco srl, manufactures PAPRs equipped with helmet which are particularly suitable for protection when working with solvents. These respirators, certified to international standards, fit all head sizes and can be used by workers with facial hair and/or who wear glasses. Some models are equipped with blowers and batteries worn at the waist while other have the blowers and batteries built into the helmet.
Mar 12 2018
Is occupational exposure to solvents harmful? Are solvents carcinogenic?
Respiratory disorders contracted during occupational exposure to chemical reagents largely depend on the nature of the solvents. Thus, for example, inhaling paint fumes over long periods of time can lead to the development of cancer in the lungs, upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and even the nose and mouth.
Solvents…carcinogenic or not?
Scientific evidence and statistical studies carried out in Europe show that occupational exposure to solvents can lead to the development of various diseases of the respiratory system. Such diseases may be either chronic, developing over a long period of time and causing lifelong symptoms, or acute. Respiratory disorders contracted during occupational exposure to chemical reagents largely depend on the nature of the solvents. Thus, for example, inhaling paint fumes over a long period of time can lead to the development of cancer of the lungs, upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and even the tissues of the nose and mouth, which, through inhalation, are the first to be exposed to carcinogens.
Other health hazards associated with solvent exposure include toxicity to the nervous system, reproductive damage, liver and kidney damage, respiratory impairment, cancer, and dermatitis among others. To prevent problems to the health of workers, air purifying respiratory protective devices (RPD) should be used. It is also advisable to distinguish between the different types of solvents. It is also useful to identify the solvents which cause cancer and take into account the chemical and biological composition as well as the molecule size when selecting the most suitable filters and facepieces to be used. The subdivision of paint into “water-based, solvent-based or powder-based paints” is no longer enough, because, despite the fact that a large part of the solvents available is carcinogenic, there is still a lot of confusion among workers.
Protection against carcinogenic solvents
As already mentioned, for appropriate protection against solvent dust and molecules, suitable filtering facepieces are to be worn. Many tests, both scientific and rule of thumb, have shown that using appropriate air filtering face masks reduces the likelihood of developing respiratory disorders. Moreover, it is often recommended to use helmeted respirators which help to further reduce the probability of disease development. The protective helmets and the face masks on the market are specifically designed to protect workers. These devices may be equipped with blower units fitted with filters and powered by batteries having a running time of over 8 hours. Workers can, thus, continue working without breaks for long periods of time, minimizing the risk of contracting different, dangerous disorders of the respiratory system. Helmeted respirators, furthermore, protect the head, face, ears as well as the eyes against exposure to harmful agents. There are currently various studies underway worldwide to further reduce the risk of disease development for all operators working with solvents which are carcinogenic or simply hazardous to human health.
Kasco srl, manufactures PAPRs equipped with helmet which are particularly suitable for protection when working with solvents. These respirators, certified to international standards, fit all head sizes and can be used by workers with facial hair and/or who wear glasses. Some models are equipped with blowers and batteries worn at the waist while other have the blowers and batteries built into the helmet.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •