. J Asthma. 2013 Dec;50(10):1020-30. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2013.834931. Epub 2013
Sep 18.
Systematic review of the effects of domestic paints on asthma related symptoms in
people with or without asthma.
Canova C(1), Jarvis D, Walker S, Cullinan P.
Author information:
(1)Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy .
INTRODUCTION: The association of respiratory problems with chemical emissions
from common indoor materials has been studied but the specific effect of domestic
paint has not been widely investigated. The aim of this review is to provide a
comprehensive evaluation of experimental, occupational and epidemiological
studies that examine the adverse respiratory effects of exposure to domestic
paints.
METHODS: A literature search of PubMed together with consultation with an expert
resulted in 997 articles published up to May 2011 of which 3 experimental, 4
occupational and 13 epidemiological studies met selection criteria and were
included in the review.
RESULTS: The occupational literature suggested that work as a (non-spray) painter
increases the risk of asthma, but it provides little insight to the risks of
painting in the domestic setting. All epidemiological studies, except one,
reported associations with some asthma-like symptoms. In children at least there
was evidence that painting was associated with wheezing, but the study designs
and the exposure assessment were unsuitable to differentiate between acute and
longer terms affects. We found the epidemiological evidence to be weak and
certainly insufficient to infer causality.
CONCLUSION: The variable quality of the exposure assignment and heterogeneous
study design makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions on whether domestic
paint exposures cause or exacerbate asthma in children and/or adults.
PMID: 23991710 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]