Eye irritation, Nasal Congestion, and Facial Skin Itching in Relation to Emissions from Newly Painted Indoor Surfaces

Abstract

As a part of the world-wide European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), possible relations between symptoms from the eyes, nose, throat, and facial skin, and exposure to emissions from recent indoor painting were studied. The study comprised 562 subjects, aged 20-44 years, from the general population in Uppsala, selected by stratified random sampling. The subjects underwent a structured interview, and a medical investigation. Information on different types of symptoms and building characteristics, in the dwelling and in the workplace building, was gathered by a self-administered question naire. The prevalence of weekly symptoms, compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS), and a symptom score were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple linear or logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender and tobacco smoking. Weekly SBS symptoms, of any type, were related to female gender (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.5), atopy (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.5- 3.2), and recent painting of the workplace building (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.1- 2.7), particularly if wooden surfaces in the workplace building had been painted (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.2-6.2). Nasal congestion was more common in newly painted dwellings (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.02-2.8). Eye irritation (OR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.2-12.2) and facial skin itching (OR = 7.8; 95% CI 2.2-27.8) were more common if wood had been painted in the workplace building. A high symptom score was related to female gender, atopy, tobacco smoking, and wood painting. An observed relationship between symptom score and exposure to newly painted wood was significant only among females and among subjects with atopy. In conclusion: females, smokers, and subjects with atopy report more symptoms compatible with SBS; females and subjects with atopy seem to be more sensitive to emissions from indoor paint than males and subjects without atopic disposition. Moreover, our results suggest that emissions from newly painted indoor surfaces may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and facial skin. The paint used for wood seems to be more irritat ing than other types of paint. We conclude from this work that exposure to paint emissions indoors should be minimised for sensitive subjects.