The response of evidential breath alcohol testing instruments with subjects exposed to organic solvents and gases. III. White spirit exposure during domestic painting.

The concentration of white spirit vapour in the breathing zone of a volunteer engaged in domestic painting activities has been investigated. Air was continuously sampled and analysed using an infra-red gas analyser (Miran) during painting experiments. Both indoor and outdoor painting tasks were undertaken using commercial paints in a wide variety of situations. For each task the time weighted average (TWA) exposure has been determined. In no case did the TWA exposure exceed the Occupational Exposure Limit-Long Term Exposure Limit (OEL-LTEL) of 100 ppm. The results have been used to discuss the significance of previous studies in which volunteers were exposed to white spirit vapour in an exposure chamber to test for possible interference in breath alcohol testing.