- "How long until it is safe to spend time in my freshly-painted room?”
- "Is there any danger in breathing paint fumes?”
- "I'm sensitive to the smell of paint. Is it safe?"
The questions above are very common, and understandably so! After all, dealing with potential fumes is often a lingering concern for homeowners who are considering an interior painting project.
Here's the good news: paint fumes are less intense than before, and your rooms are safe to be in as soon as the paint dries. This is, in large part, thanks to the development of low-VOC paint options.
Low-VOC Painting
First, what makes the old, oil-based paints smell so strong? The culprits are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Their essential function is to keep the paint in a liquid state while sealed in the can, and then to evaporate and allow for drying once the paint is applied. These VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature.
This means that they have an extremely low boiling point, and so emit vapors and gas at normal room temperature. Formaldehyde was one of the common vapors from the high-VOC paints. Its boiling temperature is–2 °F (–19 °C).
These vapors are not acutely toxic, but over time they can have negative health effects. That is why there are now low-VOC paints.
Interior Painting: Fresh Look, Fresh Smell
Although the volatile organic compounds contribute to the performance of the paint (for example how thorough one coat of paint is, and how well it stays on the painted surface), the manufacturers have come up with other clever ways to get good coverage and lower your exposure to these emissions.
Fresh paint does have a smell, but with the low-VOC rating the levels are well within safety guidelines, and the rooms air out quickly.
You can enjoy the revitalized look of your newly painted kitchen, bathroom or bedroom without any health concerns about the air quality during or after the painting process.
Are You Looking for a Professional Painter in CT?
If you have any questions, or feel that you are especially sensitive to paint smells or odors, give us a call at Southington Painting Company. We have years of experience and can recommend the products we frequently use for our friends and long-term customers.
