Every few years, most of us will want to freshen up the interiors of our homes with a new coat of paint on the walls. Here’s what we need to know about paint fumes and effects on air quality:
The fumes from paint are a by-product of the solvents that keep it in liquid form. As it dries, the off-gassing process gives off the VOCs, but once it’s dry, the off-gassing stops. For that reason, whenever possible, you should take a break while painting. Make sure the home is well ventilated, with windows cracked open and fans circulating the air. Pregnant women and children should avoid paint fumes altogether.
The more we understand about the harmful effects of paint fumes, the less we want to be exposed to them. It’s no wonder, when the harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many paints cause problems such as these:
When exposed to paint for a long time, humans may develop cancer, organ damage, asthma, or other life-threatening diseases. Improving Air Quality While Painting To mitigate the problem choose low- or no-VOC paint. Latex- or water-based paints tend to be low in VOCs, while oil-based paints are high. Here are some other ways to reduce negative effects:
For more information on indoor air quality, contact Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions. We serve Orlando and the surrounding area.