The risk associated with exposure to chemical carcinogens (as classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer and/or the European Union), during painting activities in construction seems controversial. This study included all 43 activities of professional painting in this sector existing in the area of Cremona, in Lombardy region. The aim was to consider and promote preventive technical and medical solutions, basing on efficacy. The occupational exposure and the already adopted preventive measures were evaluated by investigations at workplaces, supported by standardized questionnaires and registrations. 860 commercial products (402 chemical substances) were classified: in 38% of cases the ingredients were not listed in the Material Safety Data Sheets (retrieved by the manufacturer). The real possibility of a risk exposure to carcinogens has been reported in a small proportion of situations. In all companies the presence of carcinogens was unrecognized or at least had not been taken into account in the risk assessment of workers.