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Safer Painting by DesignPosted 8/13/2002By Mary Cushmac Since 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program has worked with collision repair shops to identify and promote best practices and technologies that reduce risk to human health and the environment. Recently, the program tested the effectiveness of its hands-on approach in 37 Pennsylvania shops that volunteered to host a confidential site visit by a DfE team consisting of an industrial hygienist and an experienced auto refinish painter. As a direct result of these visits, more than 75 percent of the shops made improvements in their health and environmental profiles. Shop changes included improved techniques with HVLP spray guns to reduce paint emissions, paint usage and costs; better respiratory and dermal protection for painters; improved ventilation in paint mixing rooms; and improved spray gun cleaning procedures. Why were these shops willing and even anxious to take advantage of the DfE outreach program and make improvements? Shops want a healthier, cleaner workplace environment and cite concerns about toxic paint and dust emissions. Of particular concern are diisocyanates, the hardener in clear coats and some primers. In 1996, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an ALERT warning that inhalation exposure to diisocyanates may cause fatalities and asthma (www.cdc.gov/niosh/asthma.html). Diisocyanates are reported to be the leading cause of occupational asthma. In addition, significant amounts of organic solvents, which may cause serious adverse health effects, are released into the air during paint mixing, wiping, spraying and cleaning procedures. Exposure to lead and chromium in dust and paint mist may occur during sanding and priming operations. Chromium (Hexavalent) inhalation causes lung cancer. A key issue now is how to build on the success of this outreach pilot and extend similar benefits to the other 50,000 shops across the country. DfE and its partner shops believe the hands-on site visit program is an effective catalyst for changing shop behavior and practices. DfE recently developed a train-the-trainer program, including a site visit demonstration using the DfE Outreach Kit and checklist of best practices for each shop activity. DfE invites trade associations, paint and equipment manufacturers, and the insurance industry to take advantage of this training resource and sponsor best practices site visits to improve the health and safety profile of member and customer shops. Based on its site visit experience, DfE has learned painters and shop owners need clear and easily accessible information on the chemicals being used in the shop and appropriate safe handling, use and disposal procedures. Safer paint products and effective, affordable control technologies that reduce shop emissions remain critical needs for this industry. Warning labels on paint products and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are not sufficient to ensure the user will understand the inherent toxicity issues and safe handling requirements associated with auto refinish paints. Training that integrates health and safety practices into standard operating procedures must target painters and technicians as a core component of automotive paint manufacturers' product stewardship and responsible care programs. Allowable collision repair insurance coverage must include health and safety procedures that promote safer painting practices. Safer painting by design requires the coordinated efforts of many players. The Design for the Environment Program invites you to join the team.
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