Ten motor vehicle repair myths that can take your breath away

Vehicle paint sprayers are 80 times more likely to get asthma than the average worker. 1 in 10 of workers in bodyshops who get asthma from isocyanates are not sprayers. Here are 10 MVR myths that can take your breath away.

Myth: "We use water-based /UV-cured paints, which are isocyanate-free. Anyway, isocyanates are being phased out by 2008"

Myth:
"Modern guns don’t mist like the old ones so are much safer"

Myth:
"It won’t affect me, I wear a mask"

Myth:
"I work in a booth so the air is kept clear"

Myth:
"I can go in the booth/spray room as soon as the mist has cleared"

Myth:
“It’s only a touch-up job, I can do that in the workshop”

Myth:
"Isocyanates cause cancer but so does everything else these days."

Myth:
"Asthma isn’t serious – most kids have got it these days"

Myth:
"The biggest problem is absorption through the skin but I wear gloves and an overall"

Myth:
"I’ve got nothing to worry about, I’ve had my yearly check-up and it’s all clear"