| |
|
What You Should Know About Using
Paint Strippers
|
IF NOT PROPERLY USED, PAINT STRIPPERS ARE
HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY.
Paint strippers contain chemicals that loosen
paint from surfaces. These chemicals can harm you
if not used properly. Some paint stripping
chemicals can irritate the skin and eyes, or cause
headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or loss
of coordination. Some may cause cancer,
reproductive problems, or damage of the liver,
kidney, or brain. Others catch fire easily. Proper
handling and use of paint strippers will reduce
your exposure to these chemicals and lessen your
health risk.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Paint strippers contain different chemicals, and
the potential hazards are different for various
products. Each product has specific safety
precautions (see the section below on paint
stripper types). However, there are some general
safety steps to keep in mind when using any paint
stripper. If you use paint strippers frequently,
it is particularly important that you follow these
steps:
1. Always read and follow all the instructions
and safety precautions on the label. Do not
assume you already know how to use the product.
The hazards may be different from one product to
another, and the ingredients in individual
products often change over time. The label tells
you what actions you should take to reduce
hazards and the first aid measures to use.
2. Wear chemical-resistant gloves appropriate to
the type of stripper being used (see
manufacturer's instructions). Common kitchen
latex gloves do not provide enough protection.
3. Avoid getting the paint stripper on your skin
or in your eyes. Wear protective clothing and
goggles appropriate for the project and type of
stripper.
4. Use paint strippers outdoors if possible. If
you must use them indoors, cross-ventilate by
opening all doors and windows. Make sure there
is fresh air movement throughout the room.
Ventilate the area before, during, and after
applying and stripping. Never use any paint
stripper in a poorly ventilated area. If work
must be done indoors under low ventilation
conditions, consider having the work done
professionally instead of attempting it
yourself.
5. If you must work indoors, always work so the
stripper fumes are blowing away from you and to
the outside. A fan can be used to improve
cross-ventilation and to ensure fresh air
movement. A fan is particularly important for
nonflammable products that evaporate quickly,
such as methylene chloride. Electrical sparks
from fans may increase the chance of flammable
paint strippers fumes to catch fire.
6. Do not use flammable paint strippers near any
source of sparks, flame, or high heat. Do not
work near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or
electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes
dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or
electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or
other electric hand tools. Open flames,
cigarettes, matches, lighters, pilot lights, or
electric sparks can cause the chemicals in the
paint strippers to suddenly catch fire.
7. Only strip paint with chemicals that are
marketed as paint strippers. Never use gasoline,
lighter fluid, or kerosene to strip paint.
8. Dispose of paint strippers according to the
instructions on the label. If you have any
questions, ask your local environmental
sanitation department about proper disposal.
TYPES OF PAINT STRIPPERS
SOLVENT-BASED STRIPPERS
Most paint strippers are solvent-based. Solvents
dissolve the bond between wood and paint. Solvents
also can dissolve other materials, including the
latex or rubber of common household or dish
washing gloves. Some solvents will irritate or
burn the skin. Some solvents may cause serious
health effects even if contact does not
immediately cause pain. In addition, many solvents
evaporate quickly and you can easily inhale them.
Inhalation of these solvents can produce health
effects immediately or years after exposure.
It is especially important to use paint strippers
containing solvents that evaporate quickly either
outdoors or in an indoor area with strong fresh
air movement. Some paint strippers contain
solvents that do not evaporate quickly. When using
these strippers indoors, be sure to open windows
and doors to provide fresh air movement in and out
of the work site. You should always follow the
manufacturer's instructions and safety
precautions. Use the amount of stripper
recommended by the manufacturer to avoid buildup
of harmful fumes.
The different types of solvent-based paint
strippers and their potential hazards and safety
precautions are:
Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane,
or DCM) --
Methylene chloride is the most commonly used
chemical in paint strippers. Methylene chloride
products come in two varieties. One type is
nonflammable, while the other type is flammable.
The flammable paint strippers have less methylene
chloride but have other flammable chemicals,
including acetone, toluene, or methanol.
Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory
animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) consider the chemical to be a
potential cause of cancer in humans. Methylene
chloride evaporates quickly, and you can inhale it
easily. Breathing high levels of methylene
chloride over short periods can irritate the eyes,
skin, nose, and lungs. It can also cause
dizziness, headache, and lack of coordination.
Your body changes some inhaled methylene chloride
to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide lowers the
blood's ability to carry oxygen. This can cause
problems for people with heart, lung, or blood
diseases who use methylene chloride paint
strippers indoors without fresh air
cross-ventilation. High exposures to methylene
chloride for long periods can also cause liver and
kidney damage.
- It is very important to reduce your exposure
to methylene chloride vapors.
- It is very important to have a lot of fresh
air when using methylene chloride products.
- Use methylene chloride paint strippers
outdoors if possible. If you must use them
indoors, open all doors and windows to ensure
that the fresh air is moving in and out of the
room.
- For indoor use of nonflammable methylene
chloride strippers, also use a fan to keep
fresh air moving throughout the work area.
Electrical sparks from fans may increase the
chance of flammable paint strippers fumes to
catch fire.
- The safest place to use flammable methylene
chloride strippers is outdoors away from any
source of sparks, flame, or high heat.
Acetone, toluene, and methanol --
These chemicals are commonly used together.
All three chemicals evaporate quickly and are very
flammable. Breathing high levels of these
chemicals can cause a variety of effects,
including drowsiness, dizziness, and headache.
Breathing high levels of toluene may harm unborn
children. Breathing very high levels for a long
period may cause brain damage. Toluene and
methanol are poisonous if swallowed.
- To avoid fire and health problems, it is
very important to use products containing
these chemicals only in areas with plenty of
fresh air.
- Do not work near an open flame, pilot
lights, or electrical sparks when using
flammable paint strippers. Do not use
strippers near gas stoves, kerosene heaters,
gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric
clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas
or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers,
or other electric hand tools.
Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)
Excessive contact with NMP may cause skin
swelling, blistering, and burns. These skin
reactions may not appear until some time after
exposure. N-methylpyrrolidone can readily get into
the body through the skin and may cause health
problems. NMP may cause reproductive problems and
harm to unborn children.
- It is very important to wear
chemical-resistant gloves and avoid skin
contact when using this solvent.
- Wash hands immediately after use, even when
wearing gloves.
- Gloves should fit properly and be
chemical-resistant. Common kitchen latex
gloves do not provide enough protection.
- Avoid using this product for extended
periods in an enclosed area without open doors
or windows to the outside for
cross-ventilation.
Dibasic esters (DBE), including dimethyl
adipate ester, dimethyl succinate ester, and
dimethyl glutarate ester
Much less is known about the possible health
effects of these chemicals than about most of the
other paint stripping chemicals. Some people using
DBE products without fresh air have reported
temporary blurred vision. Repeatedly breathing DBE
damages the cells lining the nose of laboratory
animals. Some strippers include a mixture of DBE
products and NMP.
- Avoid using this product for extended
periods in an enclosed area without open doors
or windows to the outside for
cross-ventilation.
- Use appropriate protective clothing and
provide fresh air to the work site when using
these products.
CAUSTIC-BASED STRIPPERS (NOT FLAMMABLE)
Caustic alkalis
Caustic alkalis react with the paint coating and
loosen it from the surface. One of the chemicals
in this type of stripper is sodium hydroxide
(lye). Some people do not use caustic alkalis
because caustic products can darken wood and raise
the grain. Caustics can cause severe burns to skin
and eyes even on short contact. Therefore, be very
careful to keep caustic chemicals away from skin
and eyes and wear protective clothing. If contact
occurs, wash off immediately with cold water.
Caustics are also highly toxic if swallowed.
- It is very important to avoid skin and eye
contact when using caustic alkalis.
- Use gloves that fit properly and are
appropriate for caustic alkalis.
- Wear appropriate protective clothing and
goggles when using caustic alkalis.
OTHER TYPES OF PAINT STRIPPERS
Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make
"environmentally friendly" claims.
However, these paint strippers may be hazardous
despite the smell and environmental claims.
- It is important to use appropriate
protective clothing and fresh air for
cross-ventilation when using these products.
For more information on indoor air quality,
contact:
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
800-438-4318
|
|
