Indoor Painting

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/exposure/pubs/inpaint5.pdf

Introduction

Residents, property managers, and painting contractors are strongly urged to keep in mind several simple means to reduce short term residential exposures to harmful chemicals used in some interior household paint and flooring products. These methods include selecting products that are formulated without harmful solvents and properly ventilating spaces that are painted for adequate amounts of time. Usually it is necessary to keep windows wide-open and utilize exhaust fans to ensure proper ventilation. This practice should be maintained continuously both during and for more than 48 hours after painting indoor areas or re-finished floors. Such practices can reduce exposures to residents, neighbors, and painting/flooring workers.

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Health Concerns

Most paints and floor finishings, including water-soluble latex formulations, contain solvents that can cause eye irritation and short term central nervous system symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Long term exposure to certain paint components has been associated with chronic damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Paint solvent vapors may pose a special risk for pregnant women, young children, and individuals with respiratory ailments. However, paint vapors can be harmful to everyone exposed to them, even for short periods.

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Paint Selection

When selecting a paint or contracting paint services, residents and property managers should be aware that 100% non-VOC (volatile organic compound) and low-VOC products are available.  Always insist on full information about the volatility and toxicity of materials being sold or used. All products have a Material Safety Data Sheet  (MSDS) available from wholesale and retail product suppliers, which can and should be reviewed for the presence of specific harmful substances and for methods of responding to overexposure.technician or contractor, with that visit including maintenance and adjustment of appliances.

Ventilation

Paints and floor coatings can contain solvents and other materials that can be irritating or injurious to human health when used improperly. Although product manufacturers usually place proper-use labels on retail product containers, these labels often only contain general language such as "only use in ventilated areas," such labels are not detailed enough to enable practical methods of reducing human exposure to such chemicals. Unlike large office buildings and schools, private single family homes, townhouses, and apartments are usually not mechanically ventilated, although many people mistakenly believe that an air conditioner or furnace adequately filters indoor air. Air conditioners and most heating systems do not provide ventilation as they recirculate air, even when their system is set to "vent," and do not remove contaminants. Hot or cold weather encourages residents to close windows and rely on air conditioning or other HVAC units, which may make summertime or wintertime painting unhealthy as the accumulation of vapors can lead to acute chronic health problems.

Part of the risk with indoor painting arises from misconceptions about paints being dry or lacking odor. Most paints will continue to release harmful vapors for several days after application. While many latex paints appear to be dry after several hours, ventilation should be continued for no less than 48 hours, and preferably 72 hours, beyond that time. Some of the more powerful organic compounds released through "off-gassing" are below human odor thresholds.  

• Vapor concentrations in a painted room can be reduced by setting box fans in a window blowing outward.
• Ventilation will help painted surfaces dry faster.
• Proper ventilation also prevents solvent vapors from settling into clothes, carpets, ceiling tiles, upholstery, and other surfaces.

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Multi-family Housing Concerns

Paint and floor product off-gassing is a particularly problematic concern for residents and property managers of multi-family apartments and condominiums because vapor-laden "shared air" can move between spaces. Painters should be aware that harmful vapors migrate across common walls, ceilings, and floors through gaps around pipes, between floors and walls, and through electric outlets. Such problems can be avoided if all apartments being painted or floor-treated are properly ventilated with exhaust box fans, even if no one is living in the painted unit, to prevent the accumulation of such vapors in unhealthy quantities in surrounding residences.

Property managers and condominium owners should also consider providing advance notice to neighboring residents that a unit is going to be painted, enabling them to increase their own exhaust ventilation, and should also consider inspecting painted units to ensure that ventilation is maintained for least 48 to 72 hours after painting or floor refinishing is complete. In addition, property managers might consider temporarily providing box fans to residents who are painting or refinishing the floors of their apartment.

Healthy Painting Guidelines

• Try to schedule painting for fall or spring, when windows are more easily left open for ventilation.
• Choose 100% non-VOC paints, or ask for assistance in selecting low-toxic, low-VOC latex paints and floor finishes from qualified retailers or contractors.
• Keep windows wide-open for at least 48 to 72 hours after painting or refinishing floors.
• Use window-mounted box fans to exhaust vapors from the work area. If fans cannot be used, make sure that rooms being painted or refinished have proper cross-ventilation.
• Provide advance notice to adjacent units that a job is to begin.
• Take frequent fresh air breaks while painting and use masks or other respiratory protection. Avoid painted rooms for at least 72 hours whenever possible. Keep pregnant women and young children from freshly painted rooms. Leave painted areas if you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness.
  

Low VOC Paint Options

Paint and floor product off-gassing is a particularly problematic concern for residents and property managers of multi-family apartments and condominiums because vapor-laden "shared air" can move between spaces. Painters should be aware that harmful vapors migrate across common walls, ceilings, and floors through gaps around pipes, between floors and walls, and through electric outlets. Such problems can be avoided if all apartments being painted or floor-treated are properly ventilated with exhaust box fans, even if no one is living in the painted unit, to prevent the accumulation of such vapors in unhealthy quantities in surrounding residences.

BuldingGreen.Com lists several low VOC paints here:

http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/drillBC.cfm?BuilderCategoryID=19

Green Seal's Choose Green Report on Architectural Paints

Such problems can be avoided if all apartments being painted or floor-treated are properly ventilated with exhaust box fans, even if no one is living in the painted unit, to prevent the accumulation of such vapors in unhealthy quantities in surrounding residences.

http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/paints_coatings.cfm

Greenguard

Certifies paint products for healthier indoor air:
http://greenguard.org/

Safe Handling & Disposal of Latex Paint

Latex or water-based paint is not a hazardous material. It should not be dropped-off at household hazardous waste collection events. The most appropriate methods for purchasing, storing and disposing of latex paint are outlined below. Please note that new "hardening agents" make it easier than ever to simply dry up paint and dispose of it with regular household.

1. Only buy the amount of latex paint you really need! You will save money and avoid creating waste.  Note that one gallon of paint will cover between 250 to 350 square feet, depending on the porosity of the surface to be covered. More porous surfaces will cover closer to 250 square feet and will require more paint.
2. Store paint so that it will last longer. Cover the top with plastic wrap tightly (bread wrappers are ideal for this) and replace the lid securely. When this is done, turn the can upside down to create an airtight seal.
3. Use up all your paint! Small amounts of paint can be mixed with other colors or bulked together and used as a primer coat or on jobs where the final finish is not critical. Consider a clean coat of paint for closets or doghouses!
4. Donate unopened cans of paint or return them to the place of purchase. Most schools, church and community groups, as well as social service and theatre groups, will accept unopened cans of paint, especially white paint. Even a neighbor or relative may need some extra paint. Also, most stores will accept back their own unopened cans of paint even if it has been specially mixed or formulated.
5. Recycle your empty or dried paint can by simply placing it out for regular trash collection. The ferrous metal in the can will be separated from the burned refuse at the County’s Waste to Energy Facility and recycled.
6. To dispose of latex paint, SOLIDIFY IT! - add mulch, cat-litter, shredded paper, or Waste Paint Hardener available at some paint stores and home improvement centers.
   
   
   

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