The Influence of Wall Paint Odor on People

There are many reasons to consider giving the walls in your home a fresh coat of paint. The presence of a new layer of paint can uplift your spirit, bring joy, and create a fresh new look for the whole space. However, the smell from the paint can cause health problems.

What’s in the smell of paint?

After painting the walls, the liquid components of the paint start to evaporate, releasing odors containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and are known to cause a range of health effects. The solvents in paint can emit various types including:

  • Toluene
  • Xylene
  • Ethanol
  • Benzene
  • Dichloromethane
  • Formaldehyde
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Propylene glycol
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Styrene
  • Acetone

The exact chemical composition of paint odor depends on the type of paint being used. According to the EPA, water-based paint, often referred to as latex or acrylic paint, releases fewer chemicals than oil-based paint. Choosing “no VOC” or “low VOC” paint can help reduce indoor air pollution and minimize health risks for family members, although they can still emit odors or other unwanted substances like insecticides.

The smell of new paint seriously affects the health of young children.

Health risks and effects of frequently inhaling paint smells

The chemicals in paint odors can cause short-term and long-term health effects. Some commonly experienced symptoms include headaches, watery eyes, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Other immediate symptoms include throat, lung, and vision irritations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises people to leave the room and go to a well-ventilated area with better air quality if they experience any of these symptoms. Long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys, as well as certain types of cancer.

Some individuals are more susceptible to the chemicals in paint fumes than others. If you or your loved ones fall into any of the following groups, additional precautions may be necessary to avoid negative health effects while painting your home.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women smelling the smell of fresh paint for a long time will adversely affect the health of both the mother and the baby.

Painting or repainting the walls can be one of the most exciting steps in preparing for the arrival of a child. However, exposure to paint fumes while pregnant, especially during the first trimester, can increase the risk of certain birth defects. The central nervous system, ears, face, neck, and renal system of newborns are vulnerable to the adverse effects of VOC exposure in paint fumes. In addition, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found a positive correlation between a mother’s exposure to paint before and during pregnancy and childhood leukemia.

Infants and young children

While children may be excited to watch or participate in the painting process, their exposure to the smell of paint also poses serious implications. According to experts, when children are exposed to VOCs in paint, it increases their risk of developing symptoms like allergies, asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Paint fumes can be particularly dangerous for infants, as it appears to increase the risk of childhood leukemia.

Pets

Pets, especially those kept indoors all day, should be kept away from any interior painting projects as they have relatively small lung capacities and are more vulnerable to the harmful chemicals in paint fumes. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), avian species are particularly susceptible to the pollutants in the air and should not be kept in a freshly painted room.

How long are paint fumes harmful?

It is challenging to determine the exact time for completely removing the paint smell from a room, but most scientists agree that new paint will continue to release VOCs into the air even after it has fully dried. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Montgomery County, Maryland advises using ventilation systems for a room for 72 hours after painting, even if the paint smell has dissipated, as some VOCs that have no odor can still be present. Estimates suggest that these harmful chemicals can linger in the space for several years before completely dissipating.

In the air, these chemicals can undergo chemical reactions, creating small particles and ozone, both of which are known to have negative effects on health. To minimize off-gassing, many environmental organizations and consumers recommend using low or no VOC paints.

Air purifiers help expedite the process of eliminating paint smells indoors

How to get rid of paint smells and other safety tips to protect health

  • Only buy as much paint as you truly need. Store leftover paint away from the house as opened paint cans can continue to emit VOCs.
  • Choose water-based paint to ensure that the VOC content is within safe limits (Utah Department of Environmental Quality recommends paint with concentrations of 50g/l or lower).
  • While painting and for about 3 days after painting, use fans to enhance ventilation for the house, particularly in the rooms or areas that have been painted.
  • Avoid placing furniture, decorations, and clothing into the room immediately after painting. If storing fabric-based items in a freshly painted area, use plastic or drop cloths to prevent VOC absorption.
  • The 72-hour timeframe is the minimum time for people to be able to work, stay, and rest in a room after painting the walls.
  • Use air purifiers to help reduce VOC levels in the indoor air, such as activated carbon filters, HEPA filters, etc., which help adsorb VOCs at the molecular level to help clean the air in your room.

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