Environmental Health Issues When Removing Paint

Removing paint the conventional way by sanding, scraping or stripping poses numerous hazards to your health and the environment. Protect yourself and your family from exposure to these hazards by using safety precautions issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and by following the manufacturer's instructions printed on the paint label.

Methylene Chloride

• Flammable and nonflammable paint strippers contain the hazardous chemical, methylene chloride, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers carcinogenic to humans. Inhaling this chemical irritates the eyes, skin, nose and lungs, causes dizziness and headache; affects the nervous system, heart, liver, and kidney; and negatively affects coördination. When metabolized by the body, the carcinogenic chemicals in methylene chloride change to carbon monoxide, which reduces blood oxygen levels. The health effects can manifest years after your exposure.

Acetone, Toluene and Methanol

• Acetone, toluene and methanol are extremely volatile chemicals often used together in paint-stripping products. These chemicals pose a high health risk and include side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and headache. Inhaling toluene over a long period can cause brain damage and possibly harm unborn children. According to the CPSC, toluene and methanol are poisonous if swallowed.

  Other chemicals used in solvent paint strippers known to cause severe health hazards include N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), dibasic esters (DBE) and caustic alkalis.

Sanding, Scraping and Mechanical Paint Strippers

• To remove paint from small areas, sanding and scraping work well, but these methods are time-consuming and involve additional work. Mechanical paint strippers, some using biodegradable, natural ingredients, eliminate or reduce chemical hazards and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to "Green Living: Paint" by Rebecca R. Konya, low-VOC and no-VOC water-based paints are safer for interior painting and are available at a cost comparable to other premium paints, about $20 to $30 per gallon as of May 2011.

VOCs

• VOCs given off by solvent-based paint and paint strippers escape into the atmosphere, causing respiratory illnesses. VOCs contribute to ozone depletion and contaminate landfills and groundwater. Some solvent paint strippers pose fire hazards, however, because not all products contain the same ingredients, always read the label before use.

Environmentally Friendly Paint Strippers

• The CPSC warns that paint strippers labeled as environmentally friendly and strippers with a citrus smell may still pose health and environmental hazards. Use all paint strippers with caution; establish cross-ventilation in the work area and wear protective clothing as well as a mask covering your nose and mouth.