What Are the Hazards Professional Spray Painters Are Exposed To?

When it comes to spray paint, most people know that the fumes inhaled from them can negatively impact one’s health. However, you might be wondering just how hazardous they are, especially to people regularly exposed to them like professional providers of spray painting services. Learn about some of the spray painting health hazards many professional spray painters face on a daily basis.

What Does Spray Paint Contain?

In many professionally used spray paints, there are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs come out as gases from some types of liquids or solids and have several kinds of chemicals in spray paints. They can have long or short-term adverse painters health problems. Many products, such as paint strippers or lacquers, have VOCs in them. The ingredients of paint used for industrial spray painting can vary, but some common spray paint ingredients include: 

• Carbon black
• Propylene glycol mono butyl ether
• Xylene
• Methyl ethyl ketone
• Acetone
• Liquefied petroleum gas
• Magnesium silicate

The Potential Health Effects of Spray Painting

Whether someone’s exposure to VOCs is minimal or extended, there are spray paint side effects and risks associated after inhaling spray paint and these fumes. One short-term effect that painters often face is throat, eye, and nose irritation. They can also get headaches, nausea, and coordination loss.

The potential long-term side effects painters face can be even more hazardous. That can include damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Some components might even cause cancer, as well.

Other symptoms of spray paint fumes associated with inhaling VOCs include nose or throat discomfort, irritation, skin reactions, dizziness, and fatigue.

How Painting Companies Keep You Safe

The painting conditions should be right to reduce the risk of VOC exposure. The area should be well-ventilated, and the best time to do the paint job at temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius, so the paint will properly dry. The humidity for painting services should be less than 85 percent.

The company should avoid applying the paint to areas that might reach 93 degrees or hotter when heated. It is also ideal to avoid spray painting when it’s dusty or windy. Otherwise, the surrounding area needs to get covered from the mist.

Avoid removing loose paint yourself since it might contain lead. Instead, have the company clean the area using soap and water and then let it dry. Sanding or scraping the area might release lead dust, so leave this task to the professionals. Let them know if you suspect that there might be old lead paint.

Choose the Best Provider of Spray Painting Services

With so many potential side effects that people offering spray painting services face, it is important to choose the right commercial painting company. Contact Industry Painting Ltd. to learn more about how we work to keep people safe while we’re painting. We are one of the leading providers of spray painting in Toronto.