What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers
Consumer Product Safety Commission
What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers
CPSC Document #423
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.
== 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 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.
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 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
CPSC 423
009509
EPA 747-F -95-002