How to Handle Paint Odors in Commercial Interiors

The paints used today do not have the strong odors that the oil based paints will have but some people are very sensitive to even the slightest smell of paint.  Eco friendly paints that have a low or zero VOC level are almost odorless.  However, individuals with respiratory problems find it difficult to be around any type of wet paint.  In commercial painting it is necessary to be aware of how the new paint job will affect those who frequent the business.  Women who are pregnant are also in danger when they breathe in the fumes of fresh paint.  The extent of the harm is not fully determined by researchers but it is nevertheless unsafe for women in this delicate condition.

The best way to handle this problem is to make better choices when picking the paint to be used.  The higher the quality of the paint usually means the lower the Volatile Organic Compound levels that exist.  The label on the paint will have the specifics about the levels of VOC in the paint.  It is pretty easy to compare the numbers on the paint labels to help with your decision.  It is even possible to find zero VOC paints now which is more expensive but offers amazing benefits over other conventional kinds of paints.  The paint that is considered low VOC will have decreased fumes while it is drying and does come in a variety of popular colors.

For residential painting projects in particular, the wetter the paint the stronger the fumes it will have.  As it dries it will release fumes which are referred to as outgas until it cures which takes about a month.  This means you will be living with a certain amount of paint fumes for a few weeks.  The more ventilation in the painted area the better and the faster the curing process will be.  When possible keep windows open to create cross ventilation and use a fan in or near a window to direct the odors outside.

The earlier you can get your paint project completed the more time you will have to keep your room ventilated before you need to close windows for the evening.  When the weather is very humid it causes the paint to dry much slower.  If you are using a humidifier you really need to turn this off and even turn on your dehumidifier if you can as this will really help the paint dry quicker, if you do not have one, then you should be looking for whole house dehumidifier installation.

There is a product that some paint stores carry that is designed to be mixed with the paint in order to reduce the fumes it causes.  This is a relatively new product and the comments about this are both pro and con.  Some individuals feel that using baking soda in the painted room will help to absorb the fumes the paint emits while drying.  It does work in your refrigerator so this may be helpful.  Other folk’s think that placing coffee grounds in bowls around the room will absorb the fumes.  This can’t hurt to try but be careful not to knock the bowls over. There are really no reviews on these solutions.