119 Repeated exposure measurements of isothiazolinones in air on five professional painters in Sweden, Gothenburg

Isothiazolinoes (ITZs) are chemical compounds that are used as biocides in consumer products such as paints, cleaning spray, shampoo, soap etc. ITZ have skin-sensitizing properties that are well established. However, there are still questions regarding the occupational exposure among professional workers. To assess the airway exposure of ITZ, there was a need for development of exposure measurement methods. This has recently been developed at Occupational and environmental health, Gothenburg. An occupational group that are exposed to ITZ both via skin and airways are professional painters. Therefore, it was an interesting group for testing the exposure measurement method. The exposure measurements for ITZ in air were tested in field on five professional painters with repeated measurements between April 2022 – June 2022 (N=66) working with restorative painting of apartments in Gothenburg. Stationary measurements were performed during both day (N=34) and night (N=15). In addition, product samples (N=29) were taken on products such as paints, putties, and sealants. Quantitative analysis of Metylisothiazolinone (MIT), chloromethylisothaizolinone (CMIT) and benzisothiazolinone (BIT) was performed with HPLC-UV. The results show the determinants for exposure were type of work task, which products that were used and the concentration of MIT, CMIT and BIT in the products. Especially grinding of patty was a work task that resulted in higher exposures of ITZ. The stationary measurements overnight indicate that ITZ is emitted after working hours.