Abstract

IDENTIFICATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LONG TERM SPRAY PAINT EXPOSURE ON THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AMONG SPRAY PAINTERS & APPRENTICES IN THE KHARTOUM LOCALITY, NORTH SUDAN

Salah M. A. Ibrahim, Howeida H. Abusalih, Sawsan M. Abdalla* and
Elsadig Y. Mohamed

ABSTRACT

Background: Spray painting is one of the most common finishing processes employing speed and efficiency. Its disadvantage is that workers can be exposed to highly volatile and toxic materials during the spraying process which result in numerous short term and long term health effects. This study aimed to identify the most common neurological symptoms of long term spray paint exposure exhibited by the spray painters and their apprentices in the industrial area of the Khartoum locality and to determine the minimum time period required for their appearance. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on spray painters and apprentices working in car body repair shops in the industrial area of the Khartoum locality. A structured questionnaire was used to identify the most common neurological symptoms. Main results: A total of 126 spray painters and apprentices participated in the study, all of which were males. The most prevalent symptoms were abnormal sensations (41.3%), and numbness & tingling sensation in the hands (30.2%). Hand tremors were found to be significant (P = 0.045) and numbness & tingling sensation in the hands were found to be borderline significant (P = 0.063). Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were found to appear after a minimum of about 3 years of exposure to spray paint. Conclusion: Long term exposure to spray paint has definite adverse effects on the peripheral nervous system and lack of knowledge of the hazards of spray paint among the spray painters and their apprentices is a major contributing factor.

Keywords: neurological symptoms, peripheral neuropathy.