🚀 go-pugleaf

Elizabeth Lis wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know the effects on health from inhaling fumes coming from
> autobody shops spray painting vehicles?
> 
> Has anyone encountered this problem in their neighbourhood - we're
> getting nowhere with Ministry of Environment or our Municipal Public
> Health

I conduct environmental and health & safety compliance audits for a 
living and am very familiar with auto body shop operations.  

In California (and the states), OSHA has set Permissible Exposure Limits 
(PEL) for most ingredients found in paints and thinners.  Employees who 
are exposed to these chemicals for an 8-hour period are routinely tested 
with breathing zone monitors placed on their person.  If High-Volume Low 
Pressure (HVLP) spray guns are used to apply the paint and it is 
conducted in an enclosed spray booth with an approved air exhaust system 
with filters, then the employees are typically not exposed to levels 
exceeding the PEL.

On the other hand, if the spraying is conducted outdoors or conducted in 
a booth not provided with an approved air exhaust system, all the organic 
chemicals and metals in the paint are being released into the atmosphere. 
This is the typical sweet odor you smell.  Particles of paint could also 
land on you car and personal home effects.  

Because the spraying is not conducted continously, I wouldn't think that 
persons in the neighborhood are being exposed above unhealthful levels 
(most likely why you haven't received satisfaction from your local 
regulatory agency), but you can make arrangements to have an area monitor 
set up by an Industrial Hygiene professional and have the receptors in 
the monitors analyzed by a lab to assess your exposure level. 

Good luck.  
Rosalie
-- 
Rosalie A. Skefich, Chemical Engineer
Custom Environmental Services
Regulatory Compliance Specialists
233 Forest Drive
Santa Barbara, CA  93117-1108
805-968-2112 
805-968-2137 fax
http://www.west.net/~cstmenvl