Ask An Expert: Paint Fume Reactions

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Ask An Expert: Paint Fume Reactions

Question:

The office next to ours was painted last night. The fumes are very obvious to me and I have experienced some mild symptoms such as skin irritation. I have had (viral) bronchitis for almost two weeks and I am concerned that the fumes will cause further problems. Is it possible to have a reaction to paint fumes?

Answer:

Paint fumes come from volatile organic compounds — chemicals that can evaporate into the air. You can have a reaction to these chemicals just like you can react to chemicals you touch. Because the chemicals are in the air, they can reach different parts of your body. The more common reactions to paint fumes after long or intense exposure include eye, throat or lung irritations, headaches, dizziness or visual changes. Any person with asthma or other lung problems should avoid paint fumes. With viral bronchitis, paint fumes won't make the infection worse, but could make it seem like the symptoms are taking longer to clear. Because paint chemicals can cause cancer or developmental abnormalities in animals, pregnant women are advised to avoid painting projects and should limit time spent in newly painted rooms.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-painting.html

Alice Y. Chang, M.D., is an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and on the faculty of the Department of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her clinical interests and experience are in the fields of primary care, women's health, hospital-based medicine, and patient education.

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Last updated:	January 24, 2007