Title: PAINTING DANGER: AN OVEREXPOSURE TO TOXIC FUMES - Orlando Sentinel
Headings: PAINTING DANGER: AN OVEREXPOSURE TO TOXIC FUMES
PAINTING DANGER: AN OVEREXPOSURE TO TOXIC FUMES
Content: PAINTING DANGER: AN OVEREXPOSURE TO TOXIC FUMES - Orlando Sentinel
PAINTING DANGER: AN OVEREXPOSURE TO TOXIC FUMES
When you give your house a new coat of paint, make sure you don't also overexpose your lungs to solvent fumes. Watery eyes, headache and nausea are common symptoms of overexposure to fumes, but more extreme reactions can include attacks that mimic asthma or chronic bronchitis or even intoxication. Three years ago, a self-employed Lake County house painter was arrested for driving while intoxicated, but was found innocent because investigation revealed he was "high" on the paint used in his job. Experts say the average do-it-yourselfer painting his house once every few years doesn't need to worry about such responses, especially if using a water-soluble paint. "The type of solvents used in a homeowner's paint would be straight- chain hydrocarbons mineral spirits -- the same type of thing as used in charcoal lighter fluid," said Tom Marek, vice president of technical services at Coronado Paint, Edgewater. However, paints with a base of isocyanate, diisocyantae or polyurethane can be respiratory sensitizers. Excessive exposure may cause coughing, shortness of breath, increased pulmonary secretions and chest pain. Such paints can also irritate the eyes, mucous membranes and skin.