Getting paint thinner on your skin is a common hazard when working in industrial environments or on home improvement projects. Paint thinner is one of the most commonly used chemicals for industries and individuals alike, but that doesn’t make it any less hazardous. Regardless of your training or how you’re using paint thinner, always exercise extreme caution because of the many health and safety hazards it can cause.
Health Effects of Paint Thinner Exposure
Not only is paint thinner capable of causing solvent skin irritation, but the vapors it emits also present numerous health risks. If you come into physical contact with paint thinner, your skin may become irritated right away, but the symptoms may take longer to become apparent. When left untreated, skin that comes into contact with these chemicals can experience paint thinner health effects such as:
- Redness or rash
- Irritation
- Dryness
- Peeling
- Burning sensations
- Chemical burns
Breathing fumes also can cause other types of paint thinner effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Eye irritation
- Hallucinations
How to Treat Paint Thinner on Your Skin
If you’re working with paint thinner and spill any on yourself, you need to take immediate action to ensure you don’t suffer any lasting harm. Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow if this ever happens to you:
- Rinse the affected area with lukewarm water. This will remove most of the paint thinner chemicals from your skin, slowing down the reaction and preventing the worst of the symptoms.
- Remove any contaminated clothing. Any clothes that have become soaked with paint thinner should be removed right away to keep them from remaining in prolonged contact with your skin.
- Avoid using soap containing additives. When washing up, avoid using soaps or detergents that contain added fragrances or colors because they might make the irritation of your skin even worse.
- Seek medical attention if irritation persists. If you still experience the symptoms of paint thinner exposure after removing contaminated clothing and washing the affected area, see a doctor as soon as possible. Medical attention may be needed to halt the reaction and prevent the most-serious issues.
How to Prevent Paint Thinner Exposure
Paint thinner is a potentially hazardous but also extremely useful chemical product, and anyone using it should take care to use it as safely as possible. Here are a few paint thinner safety tips for avoiding the most common paint thinner hazards.
- Protect your skin. That means wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for chemical handling from head to toe. Splashes and intense fumes from paint thinners can cause pain, discomfort or even serious injury. Wear gloves, goggles and splash guards that cover any exposed skin. Be careful when pouring or mixing paint thinners to prevent any splashes or drips that could expose you.
- Don’t poison your air. Paint thinner has an unpleasant smell, but that should be the least of your worries when the odor hits your nose. It can cause lightheadedness or severely damage your lungs and nervous system. For that reason, make sure you do all you can to properly ventilate your work area. That can mean using exhaust fans and opening windows. When in doubt, take the added precaution of using a face mask.
- Be mindful of potentially reactive materials. Paint thinner is naturally reactive with many other chemicals and surfaces. For example, it can react with acidic materials. Likewise, it is combustible. Take extreme care to keep clear of heat sources that could ignite your paint thinner. Safe flammable chemical handling means keeping paint thinners away from furnaces, space heaters, generators, and direct sunlight.
- Practice safe paint thinner storage. Even when you’re not actively using paint thinner, you should be careful to avoid the hazards of combustion and contamination. Make sure you’ve tightly sealed your paint thinner containers and check for any leaks. Paint thinners should be kept in a cool, dry storage space, away from other chemicals. Always follow OSHA and EPA guidelines for industrial solvent safety when handling or storing paint thinners, which means using only approved containers.
- Be hygienic. Even if you take every possible precaution, paint thinner residues can make their way to your skin or clothing. Make sure you wash your hands frequently and never eat in the vicinity of paint thinner and other chemical products.
- Clean up. Your thinners are safely stored and you’re ready to call it a day. Do one last pass of the work area to spot any spills or rags that might have thinner on them. Make sure all tools you’ve used have been cleaned and removed.
- Consider safer alternatives. Today there are a number of paint thinner alternatives that are more ecologically sound and emit fewer VOCs. SolvChem® Custom Packaging Division offers custom blending options for these safer chemical formulations, including:
- Biodegradable solvents
- Citrus-based solvents
- Water-soluble solvents
When handled safely, paint thinner is one of the most versatile industrial chemicals available. If you’re dealing with skin exposure to paint thinner or want to prevent it, speak with a SolvChem® Custom Packaging Division expert.