Urgent Need to Address Paint Mist Treatment in Furniture Factory Spray Booths—A Dual Challenge of Occupational Health and Environmental Protection

It is understood that furniture spray painting operations generate large amounts of paint mist before producing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). If this paint mist, containing solid particles, is not effectively treated, it directly endangers the health of workers. Industry experts point out that long-term exposure to such environments can cause damage to multiple human systems, including the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems. Currently, some small and medium-sized enterprises, constrained by costs and management oversights, show significant shortcomings in protective measures.

Journalists found during investigations that protective awareness among workers is weak in some enterprises' spray booths, where instances of workers using only simple cotton gauze masks or even working without protection are not uncommon. The health risks posed by this occupational exposure cannot be underestimated. A tragic case involving a worker's child developing leukemia recently occurred at a local wood industry demonstration enterprise, sparking high levels of concern within the industry regarding paint mist treatment.

The responsible person at the enterprise later admitted that although VOC treatment equipment had been installed previously, the neglect of front-end paint mist capture led to deteriorating workshop conditions and significantly reduced the effectiveness of the environmental protection facilities. After adopting a new DPA paint mist filter, on-site monitoring data showed a capture efficiency of 99.8% for particles above 10 micrometers, intercepting over 10 kilograms of paint mist in a single month, leading to substantial improvement in the working environment.

Technical professionals emphasize that paint mist treatment is not only crucial for workshop air quality but also directly impacts the performance of downstream environmental protection devices. Untreated paint mist can quickly clog subsequent treatment equipment, rendering environmental investments ineffective. Currently, paint mist treatment products capable of quantitative filtration accuracy assessment have emerged in the market, offering new technical solutions for the industry.

The industry calls for furniture manufacturers to fully recognize the dual significance of paint mist treatment in protecting occupational health and meeting environmental standards. By adopting advanced treatment technologies and standardized management, companies can genuinely safeguard workers' rights and achieve sustainable development. Relevant regulatory authorities have also indicated they will strengthen occupational health supervision in spray painting workplaces to promote overall industry upgrading.