Indoor Painting
There are two types of interior paints: water-based (also called latex paint) and oil-based.
One of the main health concerns with oil-based paints are vapors called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Volatile organic compounds in paint are harmful when breathed in, and can cause headaches, eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Paint vapors pose a higher health risk for pregnant people, young children, and people with respiratory conditions.
Additives, like preservatives and pesticides to kill mildew and bacteria, are sometimes added to paints and are another potential health risk. Latex paints may contain crystalline silica, which can cause lung disease when inhaled. To avoid breathing in silica, wear a respirator specifically approved for protection against crystalline silica dust, especially during sanding or scraping off dried paint.
Before 1990, mercury was added as a mildew-inhibitor, mainly to latex paint. Because mercury is highly toxic to people and builds up in the environment, it is no longer allowed in paint. Older paints (before 1990) may contain mercury and should not be used indoors. For disposal, bring old unused paint to HazoHouse at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center.
Lead, another highly toxic metal, was widely used in paint as a pigment and drying agent up until 1978. Breathing in or eating lead can cause reduced growth, hearing loss, and learning difficulties. Assume that your home has lead based paint if built before 1978. Any sanding, scraping, or remodeling of painted surfaces in a house built before 1978 needs extra precautions to avoid the harmful effects of lead.
Follow the steps below to make your painting project safer for you, your family, and the air and water we all share.
- Measure the space you plan to paint and take the measurements to the paint store for help deciding how much paint you’ll need for the project. Buy only the amount of paint you need to help save money and trips to the store.
- Choose water-based (latex) instead of oil-based paint whenever possible.
- Select the least toxic, lowest VOC paints available. Ask staff at the paint store for help. Adding tint may increase the VOCs.
- Read the labels carefully before you buy. Even latex, low-VOC paints can contain harmful ingredients and should be handled with care.
- Choose paints with a glossy sheen for areas in your home with high humidity like kitchens and bathrooms. Matte or “flat” paints are more porous and absorb moisture.
- Read all the directions on the label and follow them carefully. Wear personal protective equipment and ventilate the room as required on the product label.
- Avoid spray painting. Aerosols are easy to breathe deeply into your lungs and can lead to serious health risks.
- Do not use exterior paint indoors.
- Hire a professional to remove lead-based paint if your home was built before 1978 or be prepared to follow the extra precautions: Lead Safe Renovations for DIYers
- Turn off any heating or cooling systems.
- Keep windows open and use an exhaust fan placed in the window to pull the inside air out of the room.
- Use the personal protective equipment specified on the label, like gloves, goggles, and a respirator with the proper filter. Dust masks do not protect against solvent vapors or crystalline silica.
- Take frequent breaks outside for fresh air.
- Keep pregnant people and young children away from freshly painted rooms.
- Keep paint cans tightly closed when not in use.
- Take extra precautions if using oil-based paint. The health risks are greater with solvent-based paints and there is an added danger of fire.
- Eliminate all sources of heat, flames, and sparks, and don’t smoke in the freshly painted area.
- Keep used dried rags in sealed metal containers until you can dispose of them. Visit WhereDoITakeMy.org for information on how to safely dispose of oily rags.
- Keep paints and other hazardous supplies out of children's reach before, during, and after the project is complete.
- Ventilate freshly painted areas for two to three days.
- Children, individuals with breathing problems, and pregnant people should avoid freshly painted areas for two to three days. Even after paint looks dry and doesn’t smell, it still releases vapors for several days.
- Save small amounts of leftover paint for touch-ups and store it properly to keep it in good condition for future use.
Unwanted paint can be recycled for free at several locations. For a list of accepted products, visit PaintCare – Recycling Made Easy. For disposal, bring old, unused paint to HazoHouse at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center. Empty paint cans should be dried out and placed in your regular garbage.
Painting in apartments is a special issue because the paint vapors move as “shared air” between units. Painters should be aware that harmful gases can move through common walls through gaps around pipes and electrical outlets. For projects where the building must be occupied during work, choose zero- or low-VOC paint products to allow work to go on without creating harm and getting complaints from people in the building about odor, dizziness, or nausea.
- Give advance notice to neighbors when a unit will be painted.
- Inspect painted units to make sure that ventilation is maintained during painting and for at least 2 to 3 days afterward.
- Loan box fans to residents who are painting their apartments. Problems may be reduced if all apartments being painted, as well as neighboring apartments, are vented to the outdoors with box fans.
Resources
Learn more:
American Lung Association: Do It Yourself Healthy Home Assessment
Environmental Protection Agency: Reducing Household Hazardous Waste in Your Home
Environmental Protection Agency: Safer Choice
Green Science Policy Institute Six Classes
Safer Cleaning Recipes
Thurston County Healthy Homes Vendor List
Washington State Department of Ecology: Healthy Home Guide
Washington State Department of Ecology: What's hazardous in my home?
Washington State Department of Health: Eight Principals of a Healthy Home
Contact Us
Contact our Environmental Health Education and Outreach Team for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.