The Hidden Dangers of Paint Fumes: How to Protect Your Pets and Your Family
From making your space aesthetically appealing and adding personality to protecting your walls from wear and tear and preserving your home’s structural integrity, a newly painted interior brings several benefits.
However, painting does come without some serious risks which cannot be overlooked.
Inhaling latex and oil-based paint fumes can become a significant health hazard due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a combined term for the various chemicals they contain which are released into the air.
There are many short and long-term health conditions paint can cause to humans and pets!
Nausea, Dizziness and Headaches
Some of the most common short-term reactions to extended paint exposure include headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Breathing in some fresh air outdoors for a few minutes can help get rid of these symptoms by clearing the bloodstream of these solvents.
Respiratory Issues
Inhaling paint fumes can be an irritant to your and your pet’s respiratory system, causing breathing difficulties, wheezing, and sinus infections.
Occupational exposure to paint and related products poses a risk of developing lung disease.
Eye Irritation
Paint fumes can irritate the eyes of humans and pets as they emit formaldehyde, xylene, and acetone. Direct contact with the eyes can lead to permanent damage if not washed off immediately, resulting in blindness.
Skin Inflammation
Direct contact with paint and paint thinners can result in skin irritation or contact dermatitis, which typically manifests as redness, a burning sensation, rashes, blistered and peeling skin, and/ or itchiness.
Asthma
Research reveals that the VOCs in paint, like propylene glycol, can trigger asthma, especially in children. Asthmatic children have a 10-fold risk of experiencing an attack due to paint exposure.
Accordingly, it is recommended to use zero-VOC or water-based paints if you have someone suffering from this condition in your home.
Cancer
Paint is perhaps a lesser-known cause of cancer compared to other more prominent reasons like smoking. However, prolonged exposure to carcinogens found in paint, like benzene, can be the cause of various cancers, such as lung cancer.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Just like their human counterparts, paints can be poisonous for pets when ingested. Diarrhea and vomiting are common issues after consuming paint. Eating paint containing toxic substances like ethylene glycol can also cause lethargy, weakness, tremors, and seizures.
If you suspect your beloved pet has swallowed paint, rush it to a nearby wet to minimize the chances of any serious complications.
Fertility Issues
Some evidence suggests that working with paint and paint products can have adverse effects on sperm count and quality in men, as well as low birth weight in children, due to glycol ether.
DNA Damage
Studies confirm that working with paint regularly can have genotoxic effects due to its harmful chemicals, particularly toluene and xylene. Paint and construction workers are at the highest risk of this.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. Amongst other risk factors, research finds that exposure to solvent-based paints increases the likelihood of developing the crippling disease by 50%, and those carrying genes of MS combined with exposure to toxic paints are seven more prone to acquire the condition.
Pregnancy Risks
While the association between paint fumes and pregnancy risks is not yet crystal clear, it doesn’t take much to be on the safer side for the sake of your precious new bundle of joy.
Some evidence reveals that solvent-based paints can enhance the risk of congenital anomalies and macrosomia, rendering it crucial to limit exposure during this period.
Nervous System and Organ Damage
One of the major health implications of repeated, long-term inhalation of toxic solvents or carcinogens in paint is damage to the central nervous system and some vital organs of the body, including the kidney, liver, and brain.
Conclusion
From short-term side effects to debilitating health outcomes in the long term, the hidden dangers of oil-based paints are too hard to ignore. Accordingly, protecting yourself and those around you from the toxicity of paint is vital.
That’s where safer alternatives like zero VOC and water-based paints come in. These non-toxic paints are designed to be safe for use as they do not contain virtually any harmful chemicals, allowing you to create a more inviting space without risking your and your loved ones’ health and well-being.
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Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
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