© 2002 Occupational and Environmental Medicine
LETTER
Nasal, eye, and skin irritation in dockyard painters
Occupational Health and Safety Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK; gerard.woodroof@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
Keywords: irritation; painters
Chen et al report irritant symptoms experienced by dockyard painters in both Scotland and China.1 In 1985, I reported2 on painters involved in submarine refit work in one of Her Majesty's dockyards in England. I too found a high prevalence of symptoms of irritation. However, and possibly of more concern, the painters in my study also reported narcotic symptoms. In 106 painters, 74 (70%) reported episodes of light headedness. Some 28 (26%) reported that, on occasion, this had led them to stop painting and seek fresh air. A solvent taste in the mouth was reported by 75 (71%). Some reported that their partners complained of a solvent smell to their breath persisting into the evening after a day shift.
The full face air fed masks then meant to be in use as respiratory protective equipment were considered to be bulky, uncomfortable, and to restrict vision. They were almost universally disliked;
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