Health Hazards of Wet Paints and Coatings

Health Hazards of Wet Paints and Coatings

As we well know, paints and coatings contain a number of substances. Some of these are harmful to humans and cause a number of short and long-term health issues:

Most common illnesses are; skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation, headaches, dizziness and sickness, lung problems, nervous system breakdown, blood, liver and kidneys issue and cancer

If not properly controlled, these solvents can further create serious immediate risk since they give off vapours. We must note that it is these vapours that cause headaches, drowsiness and even unconsciousness and that breathing mix of toxic air can cause illness very quickly.

What makes up a Paint?

Volatile Organic Compounds:  This is used in many coatings and ^[1] contain different levels of Volatile Organic Compounds which dry and evaporate into a vapour that is breathed. Remember the higher the VOC content, the more the risk from the solvents within the coating. This is why all manufacturers are required to put easy and understandable labels on their products to show the Volatile Organic Content in their products.

Solvents of coating also contain a number of other substances and some of these could harm people within close proximity and even create fire or explosion risk. This is why manufacturers are mandated to label their products to highlight any risks linked to these. ^[2]

An advice here is, if the labelling does not give enough information, endeavor to get hold of the safety data sheet (MSDS)^[3].

How to use paint

The application of paint and coating is important because it affects how much of it is used over a period of time, this is further worsened when the application is by spraying.

It is observed that spraying allows much more paint to be applied over the same period compared to the use of brush or roller. Spraying causes a quick buildup of high vapour levels and allows paint to break down into fine droplets. This can therefore stay in the air that is breathed or inhaled than would be the case if a roller or brush were used, moreso if poor spraying techniques are used.

 Using a brush or roller can still produce these risks depending upon the paint or coating and where the painter is working. This is why it is highly recommended that a suitable Personal Protective Equipment be used during painting and that adequate warning signs be placed or provided for those within the vicinity of this operation to take precautions. Although painting outside and in an enclosure are not the same by way of risk, it is still advisable that these be done with extra caution and vigilance especially if this is happening in a residential environment. Again the size of the project is of important since it also has bearing with duration of exposure.

The more enclosed a space is, the worse the vapour build up is likely to be and the better the controls needed.  This is particularly important if high solvent, toxic and flammable coatings are used. An enclosure can be a permanent structure such as a small room in a building, the inside of a tank or within ductwork. Temporary enclosed spaces can also be created by using sheeting or screens to seal off an area on scaffolding, within a building or around an object

Where job is done in a somewhat confined space, the risk becomes higher and the additional precautions too. In confined space solvents, within the coatings could create fire or explosion risk or cause the painter to lose consciousness and suffocate. Therefore adequate safety awareness must be given regarding the coating(s) in use, the space where work may not be done, fire hazard, precautions, required oxygen  content, fumes extraction, artificial ventilation etc.  

Safety Precautions

This depends several factors including the type of paint or coating, it application, the professionalism of the painter and the work site:

General Ventilation: Adequate fresh air must be available either artificially or naturally. If indoors open doors and windows and measure air quality, consider the neighborhood. If this is not possible consider some other forms of mechanical ventilation such as an air mover which would dilute and remove the harmful air.

Cleaning, mixing and storage should be done in specially set-aside and well-ventilated areas. Coatings should be stored in properly labelled, well ventilated suitable containers. Keep lids securely on containers when not in use to prevent spillages or any unnecessary vapours escaping. Any spillages should be cleaned up quickly with sealed metal containers used for waste.

Personal Hygiene: Good personal hygiene is very important. Hands should be washed, and where needed clothing changed, before eating, drinking or smoking to prevent swallowing any harmful substances.

Dress to suit each job, remember your nose mask with replaceable filters (A2P3), face shield/visor, respirator, apron, gloves, goggles and other personal protective equipment suitable for this kind of job. You must be sure to be comfortable with the protective equipment to commence and continue is the job. Do not ignore Job Safety Analysis/Risk Assessment, Pre-task meeting, Permits, Approvals, Inspections, provision of Firefighting equipment and the knowledge of its use