How Long Do Paint Fumes Last – Study Reveals Truth

Painting your home can be exciting because of the new appearance, but you might be discouraged by the presence of paint fumes, since it might be unpleasant and can have negative effects on your health. Knowing how long paint fumes last can help you plan how and when to carry out your paint job.

How Long Do Paint Fumes Last? Paint Fumes can linger for several months. However, after a few days, the strong paint fumes that occur just after painting will disappear after 48 hours.

Mary Agocs, a Doctor in San Diego, California, conducted a study on the effects of exposure to paint fumes. Her research showed that paint fumes can still be detected for up to 33 months after painting. However, by this point, the concentration will be about 23 times less than when the paint was newly applied.

How Long Can Paint Fumes Affect You?

Paint fumes can actively affect your health between 1-3 days after painting. Before moving into a newly painted space, it is best to wait for at least 72 hours for the paint to dry up completely, and for the fumes from the paint to fade away.

As much as you enjoy the feel of a newly painted room or even the weird odor from the paint, it is in your best interest to stay away for a while. Paints consist of various chemical components, and most of these chemicals can have negative effects on the human body. 

Inhaling paint fumes has been medically proven to be hazardous to human health. That is why the 72-hour wait is necessary since the effect of the paint fumes would be diminished. Here are some reactions that paint fumes can cause:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Irritation in the throat
  • Watery eyes
  • Nausea

Paints contain “Volatile Organic Compounds” (VOCs), and they are what make up paint fumes and are unfortunately responsible for the harmful gases that we inhale from new paint. Paints with high VOC levels are banned, and most of the paints around have low or zero VOC levels. I recommend the ZERO VOC flat interior paint that is available on Amazon. Click here to have yours delivered.

Frequent exposure to these VOCs from paint fumes can accumulate over some time, causing chronic health issues like:

  • Cancer
  • Kidney and Liver Damage
  • Asthma
  • Nervous system damage 

As a DIY painter, it is advisable to understand the components of the paint you are purchasing. If you do not have experience in painting, you should go for paints with little or zero VOC content as they have reduced paint fumes that can affect your health.

Zero VOC paints might be more expensive than the other traditional paints, but they will save you from the possibility of serious health issues.

What Gets Rid of Paint Fumes Fast?

The most effective way to quickly get rid of paint fumes is by properly ventilating the painted area. Also, you can buy paints with low VOC concentrations, as they have a mild smell, and their fumes will fade fast.

Although good ventilation is proven to be one of the most effective ways to get rid of paint fumes, there have been results from other methods that worked for the extraction of paint fumes within a brief period.

According to practical methods, here are some other ways that can quickly help you get rid of paint fumes.

  • Baking soda can be used to absorb paint fumes by placing small quantities around the painted areas. After 24 hours, the baking soda would have done its magic, and it can be disposed of afterward.
  • The use of an Air purifier magically helps to get rid of the paint fume. It can be turned on while painting, which enables it to reduce the fumes in the atmosphere. I recommend the MIko Air Purifier that is available on Walmart.com. Click here to have yours delivered to your front door.
  • The use of low-VOC paints should be considered. Low-VOC means the fumes from the paint will not be as strong. This also reduces the risk of the health issues that paint fumes cause.
  • Proper ventilation and room cooling effectively work on getting rid of paint fumes. It creates an escape route for the evaporation of the paint fumes. Proper ventilation is known to be the most effective way still proven to get rid of paint fumes rapidly. I recommend the high velocity Costway Floor Fan that is available on Walmart.com. Click here for current pricing.

There are other methods to get rid of paint fumes; however, the ones listed above are the most effective and speedy.

Here is a table that highlights what online forum users feel are the top methods to get rid of paint fumes quickly:

Best Method to Get Rid of Paint Fumes FastPercentage of total results
open windows to release paint fumes32%
turn on fans in a room that was newly painted30%
leave onions on the floor to open the paint fumes8%
Hepa air purifier (click here for pricing)3%
leave a pie pan filled with vinegar in the painting room27%
data derived from various home DIY forums

Can You Sleep in a Freshly Painted Room?

Sleeping in a freshly painted room is not safe. This poses many dangers due to its Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Under room temperature, VOCs transform into gases that cause adverse effects on everyone, particularly children, pregnant women, and even pets.

It is essential to allow the paint to dry before sleeping in such a room. A variety of factors affect how fast the paint dries. These include: 

  • Humidity 
  • Temperature
  • The type of paint used

For instance, for latex-based paints, you need about an hour to let the paint dry. After the paint dries up, open the windows to let the paint fumes escape the room. The windows should be open until the smell of the stain completely evaporates.

For oil-based paint, it is vital to let it dry up for as long as eight hours. As mentioned earlier, proper ventilation is an absolute necessity. Therefore, the room should be unoccupied for about two to three days before it is safe to sleep in the room.

The fumes from paint are the main reason sleeping in a recently painted room is less than ideal. You can increase your chances of safely sleeping in a newly painted room by getting paints with low VOC concentrations.

For maximum safety, you can decide to opt for natural paints that encompass ingredients such as citrus oil and chalk.

If you sleep in a room that was just painted, you will likely be exposed to VOCs, and they are notorious for causing nausea, cancer, and damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

When a painted room has insufficient ventilation, it takes longer for the paint to dry and for the fumes to evaporate.

Therefore, such space should be left open for as long as three days while every other window in the house is open. This prevents VOCs from building up to dangerous levels in your home.

How Long Do Latex Paint Fumes Last?

For latex paint, the fumes subside noticeably after two to three days. However, it can take fourteen to twenty-four weeks for paint fumes to evaporate completely.

When it comes to the negative effects of inhaling fumes from paint, everyone is at risk. Some people, such as children, elderly people, and individuals with breathing conditions are more likely to suffer from inhalation.

People with asthma are at a bigger risk than many others. Inhaling the VOCs in paint fumes triggers asthma attacks for a lot of asthmatic people.

While most people focus on the issues that paint fumes cause when inhaled, the truth is that your nostrils and respiratory system are not the only vulnerable body parts. If paint fumes encounter your eyes and skin, you can also experience discomfort.

Here are some measures that you can take if you have inappropriately interacted with paint fumes.

  • On skin:

Some people are allergic to paint, and they can have reactions such as itchiness, rashes, and discoloration if their skin meets the paint. If you notice that you are experiencing any such reaction, you need to handle it immediately.

The affected part of your skin should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm water. If the irritation persists, you should visit a doctor for professional help.

  • In eyes:

The presence of VOCs in paint fumes can also cause irritation to the eyes if they manage to get in. Children are especially at risk of the discomfort caused by VOCs entering the eyes.

If paint fumes have gotten into your eyes and are stinging, you should rinse your eyes under running water for fifteen to twenty minutes. If this does not relieve the stinging, then you should consult with a medical practitioner immediately.

  • Swallowing:

While this is a risk that is more associated with liquid paint than paint fumes, it can also have negative effects, making it worth mentioning. While swallowing paint might not directly poison the body, it can cause a level of stomach upset.

For relief, drink milk or water for relief. However, if you feel lasting discomfort, a trip to the doctor might be necessary.

Overall, you should ensure that your painting projects are done properly. For instance, you should avoid extreme seasons, such as summer and winter. This is to allow cross-ventilation from doors and windows.

Also, while latex-based paints are less dangerous than oil-based paints, toxicity also varies amongst the brands used. Therefore, it is essential to consult a professional painter on the safest route possible.

How Long Do Oil-Based Paint Fumes Last?

When you paint a room with oil-based paint, the fumes can last for up to two months before dissipating completely. With proper ventilation, you can shorten how long the fumes take to clear up.

After you apply paint in a room, it gives off a strong chemical odor that lingers within the area. As mentioned earlier, this odor is formed because of the presence of chemicals such as Hydrocarbons and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

These chemicals might sometimes smell nice, but in some cases, they emit a repulsive odor. VOCs have well-known effects on health and are especially dangerous to the respiratory system.

Research has also shown that if these fumes are inhaled by women, it can increase the chance of them giving birth to children with autism.

All these negative effects point out that it is best to avoid a painted area for days after the painting has been completed to ensure that the paint fumes have subsided from the environment. Also, the duration of paint fumes depends on the type of paint used.

In the case of oil-based fumes, it can take up to two months for the smell of the paint to leave totally. Obviously, you cannot wait that long after painting your room before you begin carrying out activities within the room.

Some procedures can help you speed up how quickly the fumes from oil-based paint dissipate. While ventilation is the most dependable way to clear paint fumes, other methods such as using activated charcoal can also help.

How Long Does It Take For Paint To Dry?

The time it takes for paint to dry depends on the type of paint being used. Oil-based paint normally takes about six to eight hours to dry, while latex paint can be dry and ready to recoat within an hour.

The main factors that affect the drying of paint on walls revolve around temperature, humidity, and the type of paint used. Inside the home, heating and air conditioning may keep the temperature within the preferred range for optimal drying which is around 70° F.

Latex paint is water-based, thinner, and gives off a matte finish. Oil-based paint on the other hand is more durable, water-resistant, thicker, and has a glossy finish. Oil-based paint takes a longer period of time to dry compared to latex paint.

If completing a painting project quickly is your priority, then latex paint should be the preferred option due to its speedy drying time.

Properly applying paint can help achieve a quicker drying time and will also help prevent dripping and streaking. Applying two thin coats of paint instead of one thick coat will lead to a better finish without unattractive dripping.

To ensure that the paint applied dries fast with minimal blotches a high-quality paint roller that will evenly distribute the paint must be used.

It is good to note that although most paints feel dry to the touch within hours. However, it will take a significantly longer time for the paint to set – that is; the time it takes for the paint to fully adhere to the wall surface for a durable finish.

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Aron Blake

I am the lead copywriter on Homezesty and the Webmaster. I have a lot of experience in home renovations and the creation of style. I enjoy writing and sharing my tips on how to create the best living environment. My Linkedin Profile, My Twitter Account

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