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Painter's Chemical Poisoning Symptoms

Working as an artist or a painter for extended periods of time requires exposure to highly toxic chemicals that cause a range of health problems. Some exposure to chemicals can be deadly. Even if your work area is well-ventilated, chemicals can enter the body through inadvertent inhalation, skin contact or accidental ingestion. It is important to know the symptoms of the common types of chemical poisoning so that you will know when to seek medical attention.

  1. Lead Poisoning Symptoms

    • Symptoms of lead poisoning include tingling of the extremities, headache, confusion, hearing loss or impairment, muscular weakness, abdominal pain, memory loss, nerve disorders, reproductive impairment in men, gastrointestinal disorders, loss of sex drive, complications with pregnancy or anemia. In most severe cases, brain damage and seizures lead to coma and death. Kidney damage may occur without symptoms.

    Turpentine Poisoning Symptoms

    • Prolonged or repeated skin contact with turpentine may cause allergic dermatitis and eczema, which includes reddened, itchy skin. Increased urination has been reported. Upon ingesting turpentine, there is a severe burning sensation in the throat. This sensation may occur simultaneously in the eyes, ears, lips, tongue or the esophagus. Loss of vision and severe stomach pain are common symptoms, and the person may have blood in the urine, blood in the stool or blood in the vomit. If turpentine is excessively inhaled, then the lungs and airways will be affected. Breathing will become difficult, and a severe cough or swollen throat will exacerbate symptoms. The poison will affect the heart and blood, causing low blood pressure, bluish skin color and collapse.

    Mercury Poisoning Symptoms

    • Mercury poisoning symptoms typically start with short-term memory loss, severe mood swings and difficulty concentrating or focusing. Other symptoms include problems with sleeping, chronic fatigue, headaches, depression, attacks of dizziness or vertigo, heart palpitations, anxiety, a metallic taste in the mouth, joint or muscle pains, and sometimes stomach issues, such as bloating and diarrhea. Inflammation will also occur wherever mercury first interacts with tissues, so a metallic taste in the mouth can occur along with sinusitis, aching teeth and jaw, blisters in the mouth and bleeding gums. Frequent urination and exaggerated knee jerks or twitching are symptoms that the poison has affected the neurological system and pituitary gland.

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