Painting is a commonly performed task in most homes during construction, renovations, and repairs conducted on a home. The process of painting the interior of your home can be a lengthy and exhaustive task, as it can take weeks to completely paint every wall inside a home. Environmentalist, along with researchers have conducted testing to analyze the chemicals and hazards that are present within the composition of paint. These tests were conducted as more and more individuals complained or experienced significant reactions from the smell and fumes created from paint.
Typically, the most commonly used paints include either water-based or oil-based paints that contain a different mix and amalgam of potentially volatile chemicals within its construction. Paint contains pigments that give the paint its color and a liquid that allows for the paint to be mixed and applied.
What other toxic chemicals are found in oil-based paint and how can you get rid of this paint fume inside the indoor environment?
Are Oil-Based Fumes Harmful?
Oil-based paints are a very commonly used form of paint that many people use when painting the interior of their home or personal indoor environments. These paints contain a blend of different mineral oils as the primary liquid in the mix of the paint. Along with these minerals, oil-based paints also contain a mix of potentially poisonous hydrocarbons, and even contains high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – these chemicals can lead to significant health issues upon exposure.
When oil-based paint fumes are emitted into the air, it can lead to acute to severe health symptoms upon exposure. Symptoms can fluctuate from irritated skin, stomach pain, to more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, and even pneumonia.
How Long Until Paint Smell Goes Away?
When you decide to paint your room or house, the process of paint dissipating can be extensive and lengthy. Paint takes a significant amount of time to emit and release the chemicals from paint – as hydrocarbons and VOCs are chemicals that take time to completely off gas into the environment. It is typically best to wait at least two to three days for the paint odors to dry and the fumes to subside from the environment, during this time you will want to avoid this area to minimize potential health effects. This is especially important for certain individuals such as children and elderly people who are more susceptible to health effects from the oil-based paint odors. Therefore, after you paint a room, it is best to avoid this area for days after the painting is completed.
How to Remove Paint Odor Inside the House
After paint has been applied indoors, there can be a strong potent chemical smell and odor that lingers within the indoor area. This classified ‘paint smell’ is constructed of the different chemicals such as VOCs and hazardous hydrocarbons that begin off-gassing into the air to emit this strong paint odor. This strong paint odor will persist for days after painting takes place in the indoor area.
The best methods to utilize to help remove or dissipate the paint odor from the environment include the following methods:
Properly Ventilate the Room
Increasing airflow and ventilation inside the room(s) where the painting took place will help to flush out the chemicals and airborne contaminants from the indoor air. Run fans all day from the time you begin painting until a few days after the painting is finished. It is also important to carefully cover the room’s air vents to prevent the paint fumes from circulating inside the rest of the home.
Apply Baking Soda Inside the Area
A commonly used product for deodorization includes baking soda, which is a product that is known for deodorizing stubborn odors present within an environment or on a surface. The advantage of using baking soda is that it is both effective and inexpensive, but its effectiveness against a strong odor like paint fumes may be an odor battle that baking soda cannot defeat.
Paint Air Purifier
Many methods that are suggested to be used to combat and remove the paint odor from inside a house are simply ineffective against the potent odor of paint smell. A highly efficient and rapid method for paint odor removal is through the use of a paint air purifier. The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier is a highly effective air purification device that is able to capture and breakdown/neutralize the chemical components of that of paint. The EnviroKlenz technology uses a patented earth mineral technology that provides the capability for the air device to neutralize and break down a variety of chemicals and chemical odors from the air. The process of the air purifier to break down the paint odor can range from days to weeks, depending on the strength of the paint used and how much was applied in the environment.
Air Purifier Comparison Testing Against Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
In this chamber study, a volatile organic chemical was released in an environmental chamber under ambient conditions. The EnviroKlenz Air System was used with the EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge and HEPA filter inside. The test unit was placed in a sealed test chamber measuring 1000 cubic feet and a microbial suspension was aspirated into the chamber. Air samples were taken from the test chamber once the unit was turned on, at specified intervals over a period of 4 hours. The process was then repeated without the test unit in the chamber to provide the natural decay results. Air sampling took place using a Jerome 631-X analyzer every 5 minutes for 4 hours.
* Tested at a third-party, Intertek Labs
Report #104321905GRR-002
The EnviroKlenz Air System effectively removes Hydrogen Sulfide at 99% in 4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions – Paint Odor Dangers
How Do I Get Rid of the Paint Smell Fast?
How Long Are Paint Fumes Harmful?
Is the Smell of Paint Bad for You?
Is it Safe to Sleep in a Room With Paint Fumes?
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