Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make
"environmentally friendly" claims. However, these paint
strippers may be hazardous despite the smell and environmentalclaims.
-- It is important to use appropriate protective clothing
and fresh air for cross-ventilation when using these products
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 theroom.
-- 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, orhigh 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.== N-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 wearinggloves.
-- 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 forcross-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.
CAUSTOC-BASED STRPPERS (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 forcaustic 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 environmentalclaims.
-- 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 U.S. Consumer Product
Protection Agency Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20460 Washington, DC 20207
800-438-4318 800-638-2772 |
