07/21/2025
By Paridhiben Patel

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Paridhi Patel on “Mapping reactive chemical systems in construction: A roadmap for data-driven disease prevention."

Candidate Name: Paridhi Patel
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Friday, Aug. 1, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Dugan 110-B conference room
Thesis/Dissertation Title: Mapping reactive chemical systems in construction: A roadmap for data-driven disease prevention

Committee:

  • Advisor Dhimiter Bello, Department of Biomedical Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Anila Bello, Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Natalia Palacios, Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Industrial painters (IPs), classified as a Group 1 carcinogenic occupation by IARC, face significant health risks from routine exposure to complex mixtures of toxic chemicals found in metal structure coatings. These coatings include multi-layer applications of primer, mid-coat, and top-coat, each containing hazardous compounds from both Part A (e.g., isocyanates, epoxies) and lesser-studied Part B components (amine hardeners, solvents, nanomaterials, and additives). A key gap in the literature is the limited understanding of chemical exposures from metal coating systems—while the chemistry of Part A components (e.g., epoxy resins, isocyanates) have been partially studied, the composition of Part B components remains largely unknown, and the mechanistic pathway linking occupational exposure to these complex chemical mixtures and oxidative stress is poorly understood. This research aimed to (1) identify and prioritize hazardous chemicals in coating systems, particularly Part B; (2) assess the adequacy of current exposure controls using urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS); and (3) examine the association between metal exposures and OS in IPs. We identified 61 hazardous chemicals in Part B, several with known carcinogenic, respiratory, and dermal toxicity. Urinary biomonitoring revealed elevated OS biomarkers in post-shift urine, especially among coating workers, and were associated with specific chemical exposures and factors like hydration status. Additionally, coating workers showed higher urinary concentrations of metals such as zinc, antimony, cobalt, nickel and arsenic, which were strongly linked to oxidative stress, highlighting the impact of metal mixture exposures. These findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive exposure assessment and preventive interventions in this high-risk occupational group.