Absorption of lacquer

[nivek812]

I have another concern.  I am very worried that I am going to get some horrible form of cancer for absorbing lacquer.   I am 43 years old and high school teacher,  about  14 years,  during a summer job I was spraying a white pigmented sanding lacquer and a white finish coat with lacquer retarder.   I wore a respirator the enter time, but had not protective clothing. In fact, I wore a thin short sleeve cotton shirt.   I sprayed in a small enclosed building.   I would spry for about five minutes, go outside and waited about fifteen minutes and repeated the process most of the day.  I did this for about four  weeks.   Besides getting lacquer on my hands   about a dozen times I got it all over my arms, which I would wipe off with lacquer thinner and wash off with water and soap.   After reading several studies it appears that I absorbed large about of cancerous toxics.    I am very worried and not sure my  level of danger.   I feel it is high.  Am I worry too much.  Thank you for your assistance.  

[nivek812]

No. I don’t have any symptoms  or illness that I know of.  I was concerned if I should be on the lookout for  some particular cancer, with four weeks of exposure to the hand and arms.   Would I be considered high risk due to absorbing the toxins, since it appears to be more dangerous to absorb  toxics via the skin than inhaling them?  Or is this assumption wrong? Thanks for your time.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

Which studies have you read in particular regarding toxicity?

Do you have specific symptoms or health effects (i.e. specific types of cancer) that you are concerned about?

Perhaps, I might suggest that you ask a specific question.

Here's some general information:
1. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
2. Organic solvents have been associated with cancers in animals and some organic compounds are suspected of causing or are known to cause cancer in humans.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical or legal advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.