Dangers Of Sleeping In A Freshly Painted Room
Posted on June 29, 2020
Sleeping immediately in a newly painted room can be very tempting. This is especially true if you completed the work yourself. Moving furniture and painting can sure take it out of you. What could be better than a nice night in your new room? A lot! There are quite a few dangers of sleeping in a freshly painted room.
Inhaling painting fumes can impact your health negatively. Chemicals released as the paint dries are called Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. While they are necessary to create a good bond between paint and surface and paint films, they can cause problems with your health.
While some of the harmful effects of VOCs are minimal, like headaches, others are more problematic like nausea, eye irritation, dizziness and respiratory problems. Those with asthma and other breathing issues can find themselves in a bad situation quickly.
Infants and pregnant women should always be removed from areas where VOCs have been released. These smells can be detrimental to these populations by causing developmental problems and miscarriages at the worst end of the scenario.
How Can I Protect Myself From Paint Fumes?
Painting is problematic from the fumes but it is a necessary update for homes every so often. Freshly painted surfaces will give off VOCs, even if they are labeled as zero VOC. Choosing the lowest available VOC paint will make the fumes less and the ventilation as well. Open windows and doors, or use fans, while you are painting and for several hours after you reseal the paint cans.
Note that paints that are labeled as low VOC or eco-friendly are going to give off the least VOCs and have the shortest curing time. The paint will be dry and release most of its toxins within two to eight hours after painting. Remember that chemicals can be released slowly and in a much less amount for up to two weeks.
Schedule with Us
Getting a room painted can be a challenge for one person. If you are in need of help to complete your painting project, call us today. Schedule a free, no-obligation estimate appointment with our team today.
