How to Get Rid of Oil-Based Paint Fumes
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:
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 various air systems and technologies were remotely controlled to not disturb the environment. The IQAir was the air system that was able to remove the chemical the quickest, but since the system uses carbon media, the chemical has the potential to be released back into the atmosphere with an increase in temperature or changes to humidity and pressure. In some of our real-world evaluations, we have seen carbon systems start to desorb VOCs as the temperature rises towards only 80 degrees.
The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier out performed the Blue Air and MoleKule system, while also offering more than just physical absorption. The EnviroKlenz Air Cartridge works though a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions – Paint Odor Dangers
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