| By :
Debbie Davis
Paint is incredible stuff. It can literally take a room from drab to dramatic in about an hour. But the chemical fumes that evaporate into the air can cause a lot of symptoms that are troubling at best. How much of a risk is there when inhaling paint fumes? And is there an effective solution? First, let's talk about the risks. The risks are determined by the type of paint used, the frequency of exposure, and the duration of that exposure. Oil paint contains many more VOCs or volatile organic chemicals than do latex paints. These are the substances that tend to cause the most respiratory problems. Dizziness, nausea, headache, dry throat, watery and/or burning eyes can all result in minutes of breathing these fumes. They are triggered by components such as solvents, thinners, and chemicals in the paint that make it dry faster. Frequent and prolonged breathing of these chemicals have been shown to cause grave health issues such as cancer, respiratory and liver problems. These chemicals are most concentrated in the first several hours after the paint has been applied, but unfortunately they can continue to off-gas and cause symptoms for weeks. Continually breathing these fumes can cause both acute and chronic problems. So who is at risk? A professional painter is going to be exposed more frequently and for much longer periods of time than a homeowner who is just redoing a room or two. But even as an amateur painter who is trying to keep to a budget by doing it yourself, you can minimize the fumes. Babies and young children whose respiratory systems are still developing are at greater risks than adults. Their bodies take in air at a faster rate which means they will inhale a greater amount of the fumes. Their lungs and livers are then forced to eliminate the chemicals that are absorbed into their bodies, and they bodies often struggle to rid their little bodies of the toxins. Pregnant women who are exposed to these fumes risk damage to the fetus which can prevent normal growth and development. Seniors are also more at risk because they often have pre-existing conditions which make their bodies less able to effectively eliminate these pollutants. One of the best ways to decrease the number of chemicals that can off-gas from paint is to use low VOC paints. These contain fewer chemicals and generally work just as well. It's true, they are slightly more expensive, but you can pay for a healthier paint, or pay the doctor later.. A carbon-based air cleaner can continue to remove residual fumes long after the painter has gone.. Why carbon? It is renowned for its ability to remove gases, odors and chemicals. And with a potassium iodide additive this type of filter is the best on the market for removing VOCs from the air. This type of filter will remove other airborne chemicals that off- gas from numerous other products such as varnish, adhesives, carpet, and furniture.. Regardless of the source, this type of filter can literally clear the air for good. So next time you decide to paint, minimize the risks by choosing a low VOC paint, and using a carbon based air cleaner to make sure that the fumes are taken out of the air as fast as they pollute it.
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