Title: Dusts and Metals < Painters and Repairers Education Program
Headings: Dusts and Metals
Dusts and Metals
How does dust get into the air?
What is in the dust?
What are the effects of breathing dusts and metals?
Preventing health effects

Content: What is in the dust? The pigments (colors) in paints you use are often made from metal salts. The most hazardous pigments contain cadmium, lead, and chromium. [ The exact ingredients of the colors you spray should be listed in the MSDS or on the label.] These metals are released into the air when you spray coatings or when you weld, grind or sand old paint. Grit from sandpaper and tiny particles of filler are also put in the air when sanding paint or body filler. Sweeping or blowing keeps the dust in the air. What are the effects of breathing dusts and metals? Repeated exposure to excessive amounts of any dust can irritate your eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin and possibly cause lung damage. Symptoms might include a rash, cough, congestion or trouble breathing.