Skip to main content
Download PDF
Download ePub

Overview of occupational cancer in painters in Korea

Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine volume 30, Article number: 10 (2018) Cite this article

Abstract

Comprehensive consideration is necessary for setting guidelines to evaluate evidence of occupational cancer in painters due to work-related exposure to carcinogens in paint (a phenomenon termed herein as “work-relatedness”). The aim of the present research is to perform a comprehensive review and to suggest criteria for the provision of compensation for occupational neoplasm among painters in Korea. In order to perform a comprehensive review, this study assessed and evaluated scientific reports of carcinogenicities from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), as well as reviewed the existing literature about occupational exposure among painters in Korea and the epidemiologic investigations of claimed cases of cancer among painters in Korea. The IARC declares that occupational exposures in commercial painting are classified as Group 1 carcinogens for lung cancer and bladder cancer among painters. The epidemiologic studies show consistent causal relationships between occupational exposure in painters and cancers such as lung cancer [meta relative risk: 1.34 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23-1.41)] and bladder cancer [meta relative risk: 1.24 (95% CIs: 1.16-1.33)]. In reviewing occupational cancer risks for commercial painters, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) confirms occupational cancer risks for lung and bladder cancer among commercial painters. According to the IIAC, however, the elevated cancer risks reported in existing literature are not doubled in either lung or bladder cancer in commercial painters relative to the risks of these cancers in the general population. Based on our review of existing Korean articles on the topic, painters are exposed to potential carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, hexavalent chrome, crystalized silica, asbestos, and other agents, and relative levels are estimated within commercial painting processes. However, the cancer risks of occupational exposure to Group 1 carcinogens for lung and bladder cancer in painters per se are not fully assessed in existing Korean articles. Total work duration, potential carcinogens in paint, mixed exposure to paints across various industries such as construction and shipbuilding, exposure periods, latent periods, and other factors should be considered on an individual basis in investigating the work-relatedness of certain types of cancer in commercial painters.

Background

In 1989, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified commercial painting as a cause of occupational exposure in painters to Group 1 carcinogens for lung and bladder cancer [1]. The IARC reaffirmed the increased risk of lung and bladder cancer among painters after verifying the conspiracy on potential carcinogens and work processes in commercial painting in 2010 [2]. In Korea, spray paint was included on a list of potential carcinogens in 2013. The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) and Occupational Lung Diseases Institute have performed several epidemiologic investigations on lung cancer and hematologic malignancy among painters. The investigating teams have suggested that seven cases out of ten investigated cases demonstrate a positive relationship between painting processes and lung cancer.

Comprehensive consideration is necessary to establish guidelines for criteria to evaluate the work-relatedness of cancer risks in painters in Korea. These guidelines should be based on the most reasonable information presently available, taking into account epidemiologic research on the assessment of potential carcinogen exposure among painters in Korea and other countries, and compensation data in Korea. Until now, this type of comprehensive evaluation has not been performed in Korea. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to perform a comprehensive review and to suggest criteria for the provision of compensation for occupational neoplasm among painters in Korea.

Review

General characteristics of painting

Painting is the application of specific synthetic materials to the surfaces of products or buildings to protect the objects from corrosion and dirt or to generate cosmetic appeal [1, 2]. The general purposes of painting are protection and plastering. Electrical conduction, semi-conduction, contamination control, fire-retardation, temperature sensing, and magnetic painting are further classified as specific purposes of painting [1, 2].

Paint is comprised of various components with varying purposes. The components of paint are pigments and extenders (fillers), binders (resins), solvents, and additives. Pigments affect the color, viscosity, durability, and chemical properties of paint. Extenders are able to fill in gaps and improve the physical properties of coatings. The main roles of binders are to facilitate the hardening or adhesion of coatings. Solvents are used to mix the components of paint by dissolving binders. If painting is intended to meet specific purposes of construction, such as the application of biocides or ultraviolet stabilization, then additives are adapted. The typical components of paint are summarized in Table 1 [3].

Table 1 The category and type of major components in paints
Full size table

Literature review of occupational exposure among painters in Korea

The Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine), the Korean Journal of Preventive Medicine, the Korean Journal of Industrial Health, official reports from KOSHA, and existing epidemiologic investigation reports have been reviewed to estimate the previous exposure status of commercial painters to paint carcinogens in Korea. A total of 31 articles were reviewed and are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 Literature review for potential exposure while painting process in Korea 1989-2010
Full size table

The presence and relative levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, hexavalent chrome, crystalized silica, asbestos, and other carcinogenic agents have been examined and estimated in the context of commercial painting processes [3]. According to a 1995 report on the level of exposure to chrome in factories reporting patients with nasal septal perforation, the level of chrome exposure among the employed spray painters was below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.5 mg/m3 at recorded measurements of 0.246 mg/mg3 in the morning and 0.318 mg/m3 in the afternoon [4]. Research on exposure levels to hazardous materials in paints at five domestic shipyards in 1999 shows that lead chromate and zinc potassium chromate were detected in 8% of paints [5]. The component analysis of that research also reveals that silicon dioxides were detected in 27 samples (8.8%) of painting materials, including extender pigments. In other findings, the geometric means of exposure ranges of asbestos were 1.6 fibers/cm3 and 2.45 fibers/cm3 in automobile repair and ship repair processes, respectively [6]. However, asbestos remains undetected in the products of automobile manufacturing companies after 1998 [7].

Scientific evidence for carcinogenicities

The IARC classifies the occupational exposures of commercial painting as Group 1 carcinogens for lung cancer and bladder cancer [1,2,3]. Existing epidemiologic studies show consistent causal relationships between occupational exposure in painters and cancers including lung and bladder cancer [3]. A meta-analysis that includes 17 cohort and linkage studies and 29 case-control studies shows that the meta-relative risk (meta-RR) for lung cancer is 1.34 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23-1.41) [3]. The results of additional meta-analysis including 11 cohort and record-linked studies and 28 case-control studies show a meta-RR for bladder cancer of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16-1.33) [3]. However, the IARC does not assert that specific components of paints (such as chromate, PAH, benzene, and other agents) significantly increase the incidence or mortality from lung cancer or bladder cancer. The IARC indicates that no data on cancer in experimental animals are available [2]. The working group that has established a special section for “occupational exposure for painters” declares that occupational exposure hazards for painters per se include Group 1 carcinogens for lung and bladder cancer. In addition, the official report contains evidence of other relevant data about specific chemicals in common components of paint (e.g., cadmium, PAH, aromatic azo dyes, and other components) [2].

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) for occupational cancer risks in commercial painters (among other industrial groups) is the official advisory council for assisting the UK government on prescribed industrial diseases [8]. The IIAC report includes a comprehensive review of epidemiologic data indicating occupational cancer risks and evaluating whether the risks for certain occupational cancers are more than doubled in painters compared to the general population [8]. The council also considers the study design of British doctors Doll and Hill in terms of their criteria on causation [9, 10] in epidemiologic studies published since 1972. The IIAC review team considers occupational cancer risks for lung and bladder cancer in commercial painters in particular (as opposed to the risks of these occupational cancers in paint manufacturers, for example) in the overall cohort study [8]. In fact, according to the literature, the elevated risks in occupational lung and bladder cancer in painters are not doubled in cases of either lung [11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19] or bladder cancer [14,15,16,17,18,19] relative to these risks in the general population. Reports of the IIAC specify that crucial confounding factors, such as smoking, might be one reason for the elevated incidence of lung and bladder cancer among painters.

Epidemiologic investigation of claimed cases in Korea

Epidemiologic investigation for the work-relatedness of lung cancer in commercial painters in Korea has been performed in a total of 10 cases (Table 3). Seven painters were approved by investigation board in KOSHA. Significant exposure to potential carcinogens such as hexavalent chromate, asbestos, and crystalized silica has been provided as evidence of the work-relatedness of occupational cancers including lung and bladder cancer in commercial painters.

Table 3 The epidemiologic investigation for the work-relatedness by KOSHA and Occupational Lung Diseases Institute from 2000 to 2012
Full size table

Discussion

Issues for considering the work-relatedness of cancer in painters

Means of occupational exposure mainly involve the inhalation of gases and vapors from paint components (solvents, additives, pigment dust, and binders), as well as dermal absorption or ingestion [3]. The term professional painters typically does not include paint-product manufacturers or bystanders, but refers only to workers that brush or spray paint onto objects. In interpreting the job of commercial painting, several tasks are involved that should be defined in addition to the painting itself, including clean up and preparation. Accordingly, each task should be evaluated for potential exposures. Although painters engage in the entire process, the act of painting is regarded as the main means of exposure to various hazardous materials [3]. Based on the documentation of the IARC, occupational cancer is restricted to lung cancer and bladder cancer in the present review [1,2,3]. The IARC declares that the epidemiological evidence on occupational exposure in painters does not specify potential carcinogenic agents in paint [2]. Occupational exposure for painters encompasses the potential carcinogenic risks for lung cancer and bladder cancer. This perspective should be discussed in estimating the relationship between occupational exposure among painters and occupational cancer in Korea on an individual basis. Potential carcinogens, such as hexavalent chromate [4], asbestos [20], crystallized silica [5], and PAH from coal tar [21,22,23] are found in paint. In addition, exposures within specific industries (such as shipbuilding and construction) should be taken into account. Another consideration in evaluating exposure evidence is the period of exposure. Based on our literature review, coal tar, crystalized silica, and hexavalent chromate were used in workplace paints in Korea until late 1990 [4,5,6]. Up until the 2000s, the usage of coal tar paint was found in the metal industry [21,22,23]. Unfortunately, paint containing hexavalent chromate is still currently used in Korea.

Conclusion

Established guidelines according to exposure periods, types of industry, and periodical features of the risks of occupational exposure for painters are currently undefined for occupational lung cancer and bladder cancer among painters in Korea. In addition, no country has defined specific guidelines for occupational cancer among painters. Therefore, total work duration, potential carcinogens in paint, mixed exposure to paints across industries such as construction and shipbuilding, exposure periods, latent periods, and other factors should be considered on an individual basis in investigating the work-relatedness of certain types of cancer in commercial painters.

References

  1. IARC. Some organic solvents, resin monomers and related compounds, pigments and occupational exposures in paint manufacture and painting. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1989;47:1–442.

    Google Scholar 

  2. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. Occupational exposure as a painter. In: International Agency for Research on Cancer, editor. Chemical agents and related occupations Volume 100F, A review of human carcinogens. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2012.

  3. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. Occupational exposure as a painter. In: International Agency for Research on Cancer, editor. Painting, firefighting, and Shiftwork. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Choi BS, Lim HS, Cheong HK, Kim DH, Hwang-Bo K, SHin YC. Chromium induced nasal septal perforation among paint spray workers. DongGuk J Med. 1997;4:49–62.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Shin YC, Yi. GY. Chemical composition of painting materials used in some Korean shipyards. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 1999;9:73–86.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Choi JK, Paik DM, Paik NW. The production, the use, the number of workers and exposure level of asbestos in Korea. Korean Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1989;8:242–53.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Oh DS, Lee YH. Study on analysis for working environmental measurement results of automobile industries. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2004;14:233–42.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Sorahan T, Cross H, Sadhra S, Ayres J. Occupational cancer risks in commercial painters a review prepared for the industrial injuries advisory council (IIAC). 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Doll R. Occupational cancer: problems in interpreting human evidence. Ann Occup Hyg. 1984;28:291–305.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hill AB. The environment and disease: association or causation? Proc R Soc Med. 1965;58:295–300.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Englund A. Cancer incidence among painters and some allied trades. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1980;6:1267–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Alexander BH, Checkoway H, Wechsler L, Heyer NJ, Muhm JM, O'Keeffe TP. Lung cancer in chromate-exposed aerospace workers. J Occup Environ Med. 1996;38:1253–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Boice JD Jr, Marano DE, Fryzek JP, Sadler CJ, McLaughlin JK. Mortality among aircraft manufacturing workers. Occup Environ Med. 1999;56:581–97.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Chen R, Dick F, Seaton A. Health effects of solvent exposure among dockyard painters: mortality and neuropsychological symptoms. Occup Environ Med. 1999;56:383–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Brown LM, Moradi T, Gridley G, Plato N, Dosemeci M, Fraumeni JF Jr. Exposures in the painting trades and paint manufacturing industry and risk of cancer among men and women in Sweden. J Occup Environ Med. 2002;44:258–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Guberan E, Usel M, Raymond L, Tissot R, Sweetnam PM. Disability, mortality, and incidence of cancer among Geneva painters and electricians: a historical prospective study. Br J Ind Med. 1989;46:16–23.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Whorton MD, Schulman J, Larson SR, Stubbs HA, Austin D. Feasibility of identifying high-risk occupations through tumor registries. J Occup Med. 1983;25:657–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Steenland K, Palu S. Cohort mortality study of 57,000 painters and other union members: a 15 year update. Occup Environ Med. 1999;56:315–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Pukkala E, Martinsen JI, Lynge E, Gunnarsdottir HK, Sparen P, Tryggvadottir L, et al. Occupation and cancer - follow-up of 15 million people in five Nordic countries. Acta Oncol. 2009;48:646–790.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lim JW, Park SY, Choi BS. Characteristics of occupational lung cancer from 1999 to 2005. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2010;22:230–9.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jeon HK, Kim EA. Carcinogens in coal-tar paint. Ind Health. 2001;279:4–10.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kim EA, Lee JT, Kwon EH, Lee JS, Lee YH, Kwag HS, et al. Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the metabolites in workers using coal tar paints. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2005;17:161–72.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lee KC. A study on styrene exposure to painter in an auto repair shop. Ind Health. 2005;212:13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kim DH, Sung SW. Status of working environments of some Industries in Taegu, Kyungpook area. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 1989;1:1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kim JY, Jung GY, Kim JM, Kim SH, Kim DI, Lee HR, et al. The association between toluene level at the workplace using organic solvents and urinary hippuric acid among. J Industrial Res Institute. 1991;3:65–76.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kim KJ, Park W, Kim JC. Analysis of thinners and measurement of organic solvents in air of painting workplace. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 1991;1:8–15.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Jeong KW, Kim DH, Ohm SH, Kim SJ, Kim JH, Moon SS, et al. Hematologic findings & urinalysis of workers exposed to mixed organic solvents. J Prev Med Public Health. 1991;24:314–27.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lee. SH, Yoon NK, Lee JY, Suh SK. Psychiatric symptoms of workers exposed to organic solvents. J Prev Med Public Health. 1992;25:1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kang SK, Chung HK, Hong JP, Kim KW, Cho YS. A study to the workers exposed to organic solvents by neurobehavioral tests. J Prev Med Public Health. 1993;26:210–21.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Kim JC, Kim JC, Lee KM. NAG activity and urinary excretion of hippuric acid among workers exposed to aromatic organic solvents. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 1993;3:166–76.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Roh YM, Lee. SH, Kim HW, Lee KM, CHung CK, Lee SH. A study on component analysis of organic solvents and their health effect. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 1993;5:88–103.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lee JT, Moon DW, Lee H, Kwak MS, Kim DH, Pai KT, et al. Environmental monitoring of occupational exposure to solvent mixtures by simultaneous determination using gaschromatography. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 1995;7:375–89.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hong YC, Ha EH, Park HS. Phototoxic dermatitis by coal tar containing paint. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 1997;9:267–74.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Paik NW, Lee YH, Yoon CS. A study on worker exposure to organic solvents in Korea. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 1998;8:88–94.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Won. JI, Shin CS. A study on analysis of component and the states of measurement of airborne organic solvents in Korea. Korean J Sanitation. 1999;14:139–49.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Won. JI, Kim KH, Shin CS. A exposure concentration and composition of organic solvents by the type of workplace in mixed organic solvents use companies. Korean J Sanitation. 2000;15:75–87.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Joo IS, Kim JS, Huh K, Kim JI, Lee KJ, Chung HK, et al. Cognitive impairment and peripheral neuropathy by mixed organic solvents in spray painters working in a shipbuilding industry. J Korean Neurol Assoc. 2000;18:311–8.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Koh SB, Roh YM, Yim HW, Shin YC, Kim SK, Choi HR, et al. The similar exposure group and exposure variation in ship-building painters; focused on xylene exposure. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2001;13:413–22.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Kwon EH, Kim GS, Oh JR, Choi JK, Jeong YS, Kim EA, et al. A comparison of health hazard effects by solvent-based and water-based painting materials. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2001;11:17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Kim SW, Lee CY, Min TH. A study on worker exposure to methylene chloride in aircraft paint stripping operation. Korean J Aerosp Environ Med. 2001;11:20–3.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Moon DH, Kim JH, Kim PJ, Park MH, Hwang YS, Lee CK, et al. A study on exposure of organic solvents in manufacturing industry. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2001;11:219–28.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Park JK, Jung SJ, Park JS, Jeong HK. Field comparison of rwo monitoring methods for airborn organic solvents in the paint spray process. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2002;12:126–34.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Cho SH, Lee SH. A study on exposure risk of auto-repair shop painters to lead. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2002;12:187–94.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Lee JS, Kim EA, Lee YH, Moon DH, Kim KJ. Biological monitoring of paint handling workers exposed to PAHs using urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg. 2005;15:124–34.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kim JI, Kim JH, Kang D, Kim JW, Kim JE, Ahn JH, et al. Epidemiologic characteristics of occupational lung cancer in the Busan area. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2006;18:53–8.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Min KB, Son JS, Chae CH, Kim YW, Yi CH, Kim CW, et al. A study on olfactory function in painters exposed to organic solvent in a shipyard. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2009;21:246–58.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sim SH, Jeong CH, Lim JS, Lee HG, Kim YS. A study of working environment for automotive painting in auto repair shops and workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals. J Env Hlth Sci. 2009;35:153–61.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Cho MH, Ryu HW, Kim EA. One case of parkinson’s syndrome in a shipyard painter exposed to mixed organic solvents. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2009;21:192–200.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Not applicable

Funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero 222, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea

    Jun-Pyo Myong, Younmo Cho, Min Choi & Hyoung-Ryoul Kim

  2. Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, 222 Banpo-Daero Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea

    Jun-Pyo Myong & Hyoung-Ryoul Kim

Authors
  1. Jun-Pyo Myong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Younmo Cho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Min Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

KHR and JPM designed the research. YC, MC, KHR and JPM interpreted the data and drafted the manuscript. MJP devised and supervised the entire process. YC, MC, KHR and LJW critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyoung-Ryoul Kim.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This manuscript is review article. So, it is not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Myong, JP., Cho, Y., Choi, M. et al. Overview of occupational cancer in painters in Korea. Ann of Occup and Environ Med 30, 10 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0222-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0222-3

Keywords

Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

ISSN: 2052-4374

Contact us