Safety Comes First
Gary A. Shaw Box 33094, Pensacola FL 32508-3094
What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers
I made a trip to a dermatologist to get help for a stubborn skin condition that I had developed on my hands. For months prior to the visit, my fingers felt swollen, they itched continuously, they cracked, and they peeled. Despite using lotions and creams to treat what I thought was dry skin, nothing seemed to provide any relief.
The doctor asked me several questions about my occupation, activities, hobbies, etc., and the conclusion was that I might be sensitive to paint strippers that I used on my pattern airplane and coffee table during the winter. I used appropriate protection (gloves) when doing the work, but what apparently irritated my hands was collecting and throwing out rags (without using gloves) that were soaked with stripper.
I've learned a valuable lesson, and you can too! The following is information about paint strippers that was obtained from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington DC. Read it carefully and use the recommendations whenever you are doing projects that require the use of harsh chemicals:
"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 to 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
Different brands of paint strippers contain different chemicals, so each product has specific safety precautions (see paint stripper types). There are, however, general safety rules to keep in mind when using any stripper, especially if you do so frequently.
- Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on product labels; do not assume that you already know how to use them. One product's hazards may be different from another's, and ingredients often change. Labels indicate how to reduce hazards and first-aid measures in case of contact.
- Wear chemical-resistant gloves appropriate for the type of stripper (see manufacturer's instructions). Kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection.
- Avoid getting paint strippers on your skin or in your eyes. Wear protective clothing and goggles appropriate for the project and type of stripper.
- If possible, use paint strippers outdoors, and never use them in a poorly ventilated area. If you must use them indoors, cross-ventilate by opening all doors and windows before, during, and after applying and stripping. Make sure that there is fresh-air movement throughout the room. If work must be done indoors under low-ventilation conditions, consider having the work done professionally instead.
- If you do work indoors, make sure that the stripper fumes are blowing away from you, toward the outside. A fan can be used for cross-ventilation and fresh-air movement. A fan is particularly important for nonflammable products that evaporate quickly, such as methylene chloride; however, electrical sparks increase the chance of flammable paint strippers' fumes catching fire.
- 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 catch fire instantly.
- Use only chemicals that are marketed as paint strippers; never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene.
- Dispose of paint strippers according to the instructions on the labels. If you have questions, ask your local environmental sanitation department.
Types of Paint Strippers
The majority of paint strippers are solvent-based. Solvents dissolve the bond between wood and paint, and can also dissolve other materials, including latex or rubber of common household or dishwashing gloves. Some solvents irritate or burn the skin, or cause serious health effects, even if contact does not immediately cause pain. Many solvents evaporate quickly and are easily inhaled, which can produce health effects immediately or years afterward.
Paint strippers containing solvents that evaporate quickly are to be used outdoors or in an indoor area with strong fresh-air movement. When using paint strippers containing solvents that do not evaporate quickly indoors, open windows and doors to move fresh air in and out. Follow manufacturers' instructions and safety precautions, and to avoid buildup of harmful fumes, use the amount of stripper recommended.
Solvent-based paint strippers — Hazards and safety precautions
#### Methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM)
Methylene chloride is the most commonly used chemical in paint strippers. Methylene chloride products come in two varieties: nonflammable and flammable. The flammable strippers have less methylene chloride, but they have other flammable chemicals, including acetone, toluene, or methanol.
Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consider the chemical to be a potential cause of cancer in humans.
Methylene chloride evaporates quickly and is easily inhaled. Breathing in high levels during short periods can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and lungs, and can cause dizziness, headaches, and lack of coordination. Your body changes some of the inhaled methylene chloride to carbon monoxide, which lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This can cause problems for people with heart, lung, or blood diseases if they use methylene chloride paint strippers indoors without fresh-air cross-ventilation. High exposures for long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage.
- Reduce exposure to methylene chloride vapors.
- Have plenty 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.
- For indoor use of nonflammable methylene chloride strippers, use a fan to keep fresh air moving; however, electrical sparks from fans may increase the chance of flammable paint strippers' fumes catching fire.
- The safest place to use flammable methylene chloride strippers is outdoors, away from sources of sparks, flame, or high heat.
#### Acetone, toluene, and methanol
Acetone, toluene, and methanol are commonly used together. They evaporate quickly and are very flammable. Breathing in high levels of these chemicals can cause a variety of effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. Breathing high levels of toluene may harm unborn children, and breathing high levels of it for a long period of time may cause brain damage. Toluene and methanol are poisonous if swallowed.
- To avoid fire and health problems, use products containing these chemicals only in areas with plenty of fresh air.
- Do not work near open flames, pilot lights, or electrical sparks when using flammable strippers. Do not use them 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 may cause swelling, blistering, and burns, but those skin reactions may not appear until some time after exposure. NMP can get into the body through the skin and it may cause birth defects, reproductive problems, or harm to unborn children.
- Wear chemical-resistant, properly fitting gloves (not common kitchen latex gloves) and avoid skin contact.
- Wash hands immediately after use, even when wearing gloves.
- Avoid using this product for extended periods of time in an area without open doors or windows for cross-ventilation.
#### Dibasic esters (DBE) — including dimethyl adipate, dimethyl succinate, and dimethyl glutarate
Much less is known about the health effects of these chemicals than about most other paint-stripping chemicals. Some people who used DBE products without fresh air have reported temporary blurred vision. Breathing DBE repeatedly damages the cells lining the noses of laboratory animals. Some strippers include a mixture of DBE products and NMP.
- Avoid using for extended periods in an enclosed area without open doors or windows for cross-ventilation.
- Use appropriate protective clothing and provide fresh air.
Caustic-Based Strippers (not flammable)
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, even with brief contact, so be careful to keep them away from skin and eyes, and wear protective clothing. If contact occurs, wash off immediately with cold water. Caustics are highly toxic if swallowed.
- Avoid skin and eye contact.
- Wear appropriate gloves, protective clothing, and goggles that fit properly.
Other Types of Paint Strippers
Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make "environmentally friendly" claims, but they may still be hazardous. Use protective clothing and fresh-air cross-ventilation.
For more information about use of any of these chemicals, contact:
US Environmental Protection Agency Washington DC 20460 (800) 438-4318
US Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington DC 20207 (800) 638-2772
A quote from Isaac Asimov that I found in the Flite Lines newsletter (Gerald Gill, Don Tabor, Editors, Box 12913, Prescott AZ 86304-2913) fits modeling well: "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny.'"
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
