Identifying and Prioritizing Hazardous Chemicals in Construction Metal Structure Coating Systems: A Roadmap for Data-Driven Disease Prevention.

Introduction: Occupational exposure as a painter was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) in 1989. Chemical agents responsible for cancers and other illnesses among industrial painters are not well-documented. The goal of this systematic review and synthesis was to document the chemistries of metal structure coating systems, summarize data gaps on occupational exposures and health effects among painters, and identify and prioritize hazardous chemicals to guide future exposure and occupational health studies, and ultimately disease prevention efforts.

Methods: We reviewed coating products approved by the Northeast Protective Coating Committee (NEPCOAT) for use in steel bridges in New England, with a special focus on Part B of these reactive chemical systems, and related literature on exposures and health effects.

Results: From the review of safety datasheets (SDS), we identified 61 unique CAS numbers belonging to different Part B chemical groups of isocyanate- and epoxy-based formulations, including amine hardeners, solvents, nanomaterials, and other additives. The list of identified ingredients contained 14 potent sensitizers, two IARC Group 1 known carcinogens, and 7 IARC Group 2B possible carcinogens. Cancers of the lungs, urinary bladder, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system, allergic contact dermatitis, lung fibrosis, and asthma were some possible disease endpoints. Existing occupational exposure studies focused on solvent exposures, while exposure and biomonitoring studies of amine hardeners and other ingredients of concern in these formulations are lacking.

Conclusions: The list of chemicals of concern identified here, including sensitizers and carcinogens, can serve as a basis for analytical method development and field exposure assessment studies. A national multi-pronged strategy to reduce chemical exposures and health risks among construction painters is warranted, including research on exposure monitoring and reduction efforts, longitudinal epidemiological studies, and product reformulation.