For any family currently planning a renovation project in their home that will require the use of paint thinner, this post will detail a number of ways to remain cautious. It’s true that paint thinner is extremely valuable in finding the perfect mixture of paint, it still contains highly hazardous chemicals which can be detrimental to your health if not handled correctly. Even something as minor as the trace vapors emanating from the product can result in harsh symptoms such as burning sensations filling up a person’s mouth and throat, feelings of nausea and consistent vomiting, inability to breath and in the worst cases, brain damage if left exposed to the chemicals too long.
Not only can the chemicals from these products impact your health, they can also impact the space you’re using them in. This is largely a result of paint thinner’s combustibility. While possessing a flash point of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, any prolonged interaction between this product and a heat source can result in a fire hazard. For the sake of your family avoiding any fire hazards, this post will break down some of the most important safety considerations to take when using paint thinner.
Don’t Leave An Inch Of Skin Uncovered: skin coverings are the first step to utmost protection. Anytime your family is looking to work with paint thinner, they should have gear such as gloves, goggles and splash guards equipped. As mentioned, any exposed skin should be covered with long-sleeved clothing. Chemical exposure to any family member’s skin or eyes is what you should avoid at all costs.
Keep The Air Flowing: ensuring that any microscopic vapor are being aired out of the home is imperative. This will require some ventilation consideration; families should look to opening all available windows nearest the rooms needed to be painted prior to beginning any painting. Some homes are not built to support windows in every room, which may lead to a lack of proper ventilation. If this is the case, investing into external fans for the sake of cycling these fumes out is worth every penny.
Consult The Instructions: no matter the brand, each solvent will have an instructions portion of their label plastered onto the packaging. No family should ever use this product prior to reading these labels thoroughly as they’ll include information regarding directions for use, safety information and even information related to storage and disposal.
Chemical Storage Considerations: securely storing these products is just as important as securely using them. Ensuring each product remains sealed after each use is imperative. Through this seal, no product should be able to leak out and will be able to be securely stored without any worries in the home. Remember, storing this product in areas that are cool and away from even the sliest source of heat is necessary for your family’s safety.
Establishing a safe foundation for your family is important prior to using any of these chemically hazardous products. As such, taking the necessary steps above to staying safe are always important for families beginning projects with paint thinner. For additional information on paint thinner safety, be sure to check out the infographic coupled alongside this post.
Author bio: Lynn Place is Vice President of Marketing for SolvChem Custom Packaging Division. She has 30 years of professional experience in the manufacturing industry and specializes in consumer packaged goods, new product development and strategic planning.
