BODY SHOP NASTIES
In recent years the health and workplace safety of those working in the refinishing industry has improved greatly. Many highly toxic substances have been carefully regulated or in some instances outlawed or banned completely.
However, many day-to-day refinishing supplies continue to pose significant potential health hazards which must be recognised and managed responsibly. Equally, you might be surprised that some banned substances are still lurking as a potential silent killer for the unaware, unwary, and unprotected.
Lead
Lead is a toxic substance and long- term exposure can result in anaemia, effects on the nervous system and kidneys, and altered functioning of the testicles, which could lead to infertility.
Over time, lead accumulated in your body meaning that even small amounts can pose a health hazard over time. Lead was once commonplace in body shops with seam filling achieved through ‘lead-loading’. Lead was also commonly used in paint, with vibrant colours such as red, yellow, orange, and green relying heavily upon lead chromate.
While modern cars have moved away from lead-based preparations, you may still encounter lead when dealing with the authentic repair and refinishing of older or classic vehicles.
Asbestos
Asbestos was used extensively throughout the 20th century for its excellent heat insulation properties. However, since the first diagnosis of asbestosis in 1924 its significant health concerns led to asbestos being gradually phased out and eventually banned by the 1990s.
According to the HSA, “Exposure to asbestos is the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. Around 5 000 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases.” Asbestos was used extensively in the automotive industry, most notably in gaskets and friction materials. In the UK, vehicles manufactured before 1973 could still be legally fitted with asbestos brake shoes until as late as 2004.
You’ll potentially find asbestos in classic car body panels, for example, composite body work panels often included asbestos as a woven component. Asbestos was also woven into the headlining of classic cars. Additionally, if your body shop was constructed before the year 2000 it may include asbestos in its construction.
Isocyanates
Isocyanates represent one of the most encountered toxic substances you’ll find in the modern body shop. Isocyanates are highly reactive, powerful compounds that react with alcohol-based compounds to produced polyurethane polymers and certain solvent-based paints.
You’ll encounter isocyanates as a component of two-pack paints, and most base coats and lacquers. Additionally, some water-based paints also contain isocyanates. Spraying 2k isocyanate paints is the main cause of occupational asthma in the UK with paint sprayers having about a 90 times higher risk of getting asthma compared with the UK working population. A properly fitted air-fed mask is a vital piece of kit for body shop paint technicians.
