Is it safe to be around paint fumes during pregnancy? DH is going to paint the basement and I was curious if it was ok for me to be down by him or if I should avoid the basement for a few days.
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If he's using no-VOC paint and has it well ventilated, it should be okay, but otherwise I would stay away and make sure your upstairs is well ventilated.
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Young House Love has some great information of paint fumes and pregnancy since that is pretty much what they do for a living.
I've been doing some painting, but it's been in a well ventilated area (open garage with a fan) and I've been using low VOC paint that I learned about on their site.
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@evansjamie: @lemondrop: how do you know if it's low/no VOC? I'm not familiar with paint...
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@Bao: I think it would be on the label, but a google search may be faster. This is one of YHL's posts from Friday, they have much more info on their site, but I'm on my phone so links are a PITA:
"What tips you have for a fellow pregnant DIY lover. What types of projects do you continue doing while pregnant and what do you stay away from? I know you all usually use no-VOC paint but I wasn’t sure if you took any other precautions.
I was really careful when I was pregnant with Clara, and I’m following the same guidelines with this pregnancy – always using no-VOC paint with no-VOC colorants (Olympic’s Premium line, Mythic, or Benjamin Moore’s Natura line all are wonderful for that) in a well ventilated area. I also use sealers that are safer (Safecoat Acrylacq can be ordered online and is a great baby-safe non-toxic alternative to the fumier stuff)."
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@lemondrop: ok thank you
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@Bao: gots to look out for me fellow due month mama
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@Bao: My midwife told me before that it was safe for me to be painting as long as it was in a well-venilated room and as long as I wasn't climbing ladders
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@lemondrop: hehe
@creativemomma15: the most I'd be doing would be supervising!! -
@Bao: I'd say you would be fine! I had to laugh when she told me that though because DH was with me and relieved I was allowed to help with trim work a little and afterwards she said, "you should have given me a wink or a look... I could have told him you weren't allowed to paint"
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My husband works for a paint company and he assures me its safe to be around paint when you're pregnant. He says that the smell might male you feel quesy but that's your only concern.
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@creativemomma15: haha that's funny I need to come up with a plan like that for my doctor
@Cherrybee: that's good to know, thank you! -
Oh and he says, in answer to your other question, all water based paints (emulsions) are low VOC. You can tell if its water based by reading the brush cleaning instructions - if it says clean with water its water based.
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@Cherrybee: oh yes it does, good to know!
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@Bao: we have sherwin Williams emerald paint which is no Voc and it still says on the side that it can cause birth defects or something to that effect. I personally would stay away; it's not worth the risks to me.
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We painted our nursery and we used no VOC paint and kept the window open. I even painted by myself one day. I went by how strong the paint fumes are...which weren't very strong at all.
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@scg00387: @Bao: Woah! Hubs is blown away by this! He says he will speak to his technical department tomorrow and get back to you (via me of course). He works for one of the biggest chemical companies in the world... he will get their answer on this.
@scg00387: What kind of paint is this? It says avoid contact with skin!!! I get covered when I paint! What *is* this stuff?
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@Cherrybee: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/catalog/emerald-interior-acrylic-latex-paint/ -- it's no-VOC and has "green sure" on the front but I didn't read the label until we got it home. I'm not sure if *all* paints have the carcinogen California warning?
At any rate, like I said, it's just not worth it to me (not that I'm currently pregnant but in the past/future I would avoid) even if the likelihood of problems is small.
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I did all the painting when pregnant with DD and will do all the painting needed for this baby too.
It doesn't bother me.
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I painted the bedroom and the outside of our house while pregnant... And don't tell anyone, but I climbed ladders until 38 weeks
I'm super stubborn!
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@scg00387: mine is low VOC, but it doesn't have that California warning on it. I saw that on mugs for sale at the store while on vacation in CA, it seems a little extreme to me that it's on dinnerware
paint- I totally understand!I also think about moderation, we are out of the first trimester, which reduces the risk *some* plus, I'm more of the weekend warrior, so I'm not exposed to it on a daily basis as if I painted at work every day.
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@Bao: we used harmony paint from sherwin Williams. It's what they recommend for nurseries and stuff. I hardly noticed any paint smell. We also had the fan going and it was fine that night.
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That California warning is on everything. They have some crazy regulations. It's on the outside of any building that allows smoking anywhere on the property.
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I am open to painting during pregnant with a low VOC paint. But I don't think I would spend more than 5 minutes in a basement. There is no ventilation even if it was VOC free paint. Like you said you don't have to work so I would stay out.
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@T.H.O.U.: oh we have full size windows down there, I did visit him a few minutes here and there but didn't stay too long. I couldn't even smell the paint so that was good.
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I helped paint our living room, bedroom, and nursery while pregnant! I wore a mask, and we kept the windows open & fans on.
paint- I totally understand!Reply
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