Introduction. The painters of motor vehicles are exposed to pure solvents ormixtures thereof, which have been associated with neurological andmutacarcinogénicos effects.Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted tocharacterize the health and working conditions of individuals exposed to organicsolvents in film and painting workshops in Bogotá. Group exposed to organicsolvents with non-exposed group were compared. Concentrations of benzene ,toluene and xylene (BTX ) in air is determined, an individual survey is appliedand measured in urine, phenyl mercapturic acid, hippuric acid, ortho-parametabolites methylenechippuric as benzene, toluene and xylene . The results ofthe measurements and survey were correlated to establish the exposurescenario.Results: There were statistically significant differences between the exposedpopulation and the population not exposed to solvents (p = 0.00) for the three3metabolites of BTX. Positive correlations among the toluene in air and hippuricacid in the urine of the subject is found, (Spearman 0.82) and between the airand xylene or methylhippuric acid (0.76 Spearman). Hippuric acid values werefound above the permissible limits in 11 workers and p- methylhippuric acid in 8of them. There were no values for acid phenylmercapturic off limits.Discussion: car painters are exposed to high levels of organic solvents in theirworkplace and do not have adequate conditions of hygiene and safety to dotheir jobs.
