How Long Are Paint Fumes Harmful?
The first application of paint on the walls is the first step in a long process, depending on the color that is previously on the wall, multiple coats of paint will need to be applied to the walls to evenly spread the paint on the interior walls. Think of how much paint is applied to a single wall in a small enclosed indoor environment, it can be a significant amount of paint which can produce a lot of paint fumes in the air of this indoor space.
Paints come in a variety of types, colors, and ingredients – whether it be oil-based, water-based, latex, or low VOC paint. Most paints contain a large supply of VOCs within its construction. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that are more susceptible to higher pressure at ordinary room temperature. When the VOCs are emitted from certain solids or liquids, it will convert into a gaseous state in room temperature to lead to the hazardous chemicals releasing into the air and tainting the indoor air quality. This process will form an odor that is commonly referred to as ‘paint fumes’ inside the room that the painting occurred.
How long do these ‘paint fumes’ last in a room and how harmful are these fumes to human health?
How Long Do VOCs Last After Painting
VOCs are chemicals that are commonly found in paint and other products that contain solvents and petrochemicals. When paint is applied inside a confined indoor space the concentration of VOCs can be up to 10 times higher than outdoors. The VOCs will dissipate overtime, after the paint dries on the wall but this process can be lengthy. VOCs will off gas into the air and this off gassing can take place for weeks following the drying of the paint on the walls. During this time, it is best to avoid these VOC contaminated areas, to minimize potential health effects.
Paint Fumes Side Effects
When paint is applied in the indoor environment it will produce paint fumes into the air that can drastically affect the health of those exposed to these chemical fumes. High levels of VOCs are found within paint fumes and the exposure to these VOCs have been linked to numerous health conditions and symptoms such as eye problems, breathing problems, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even in drastic cases the development of cancer.
Also, children and those who suffer from asthma will want to avoid exposure to VOCs in the air, as they are more susceptible to significant health issues from the chemicals in the air.
How to Quickly Dissipate the Smell of Paint in a Room
As interior paint starts to produce paint fumes from the off gassing of chemicals, it may be needed to add an air purifier to the environment to help quickly speed up the dissipation process of paint smell in the air. Air purifiers are devices that use specifically designed filtration technology that is capable of removing contaminants from the air to help improve the air quality in the indoor space.
The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier is an effective air purification device that is able to capture and breakdown/neutralize the chemicals and chemical odors from paint fumes in the air. The EnviroKlenz technology is a patented earth mineral technology that is able to completely and efficiently retain and neutralize the chemicals from the air, without the possibility of re-release like many other air purification devices. This purifier, therefore, will be an ideal solution for mitigating and speedily dissipating the paint smell and fumes from the air.
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. 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.
The EnviroKlenz Air System effectively removes Hydrogen Sulfide at 99% in 4 hours.
The Cleanest Air
Your Home Has Ever Had.
EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System
(Standard Model)
$699.00
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EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System
(UV-C Model)
$799.00
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