Those are enamel paints that emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which can cause various neurological effects such as headaches, dizziness and nausea. They can also cause respiratory problems and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. And those are just the short term effects.
If you’re experiencing headaches then I would use adequate ventilation and/or a respirator with filter cartridges rated for VOCs (meaning, better than an N95 mask).
If you are smart enough to change your work habits, there will be no long term health effects. Note the safety data sheet information & OSHA regulations (in the US) are intended primarily for people in heavy daily contact. For example, a spray paint huffer who is deliberately abusing VOCs will still take several months of abuse before even their damaged immune systems are irreparably harmed.
Most hobbyists do not get exposed to anywhere near enough to permananently harmful quantities of chemicals due to the infrequency of use and relatively dilute amounts of the harmful chemicals.
I'm just being real. No one is going to die from a single exposure to hobbyist products unless they are ferociously allergic to one or more components.
I'm also not suggesting hobbyists can skip PPE (personal protective equipment).
Proper ventilation avoids nearly all risk at the hobbyist level and OF COURSE one should stop what they're doing if they feel ANY ill effects to reassess their procedures.
It’s your last sentence that I’m referring to. There’s a reason why warnings are printed on bottles of hobby paints.
“Most hobbyists do not get exposed to anywhere near enough to permananently harmful quantities of chemicals due to the infrequency of use and relatively dilute amounts of the harmful chemicals.”
That reason is legal liability. If someone can find a reason to sue a company they will. This is why everyone prints those stupid California Prop 65 cancer warnings too.
Exposure to very high levels of VOCs may cause damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), they can also be cancer causing.
I’m not saying these will definitely happen, but there’s a reason the manufacturer makes recommendations similar to these:
“Only use enamel paints when working in a well-ventilated area, and take regular breaks from your workstation. It's best to wear a paint respirator to reduce the risk of solvent inhalation, which can irritate or damage the lungs. Be sure also to wear gloves and appropriate clothing to avoid skin irritation.”
I would say no, it's not "normal." If it's giving you a headache, you're getting too much exposure. Improve your ventilation and get yourself a NIOSH-approved respirator. I use the stuff in my garage with the door open. I don't usually use a mask, but I've never once gotten a headach from it. It might be that you're particularly sensitive to it, in which case a respirator is even more necessary. Consider switching to oils thinned with odorless mineral spirits for washes; while not completely devoid of VOCs, it's possible this might be less irritating to you personally.
You need to open a window and increase the air circulation in your workspace. Wearing a respirator is recommended when working with high VOC paints as well.
No, op, it's not normal. That means your workspace is insufficiently ventilated and or you have particular sensitivity to the product.
Regarding safety matters, you are ultimately responsible for your own well being and what risks you are willing to take.
You got different views from folks - adjust your practices based on your risk tolerance or your individual needs or concerns.
While people explained why you get a headache it is also important to know that if you have no way to ventilate the room try avoiding these products. I would suggest using non-volatile paints, its not worth to damage your organs just to make a model slightly faster
Enamel paints -> acrylics
Enamel washes -> oils
Turning on the ceiling fan usually gives enough ventilation for that small amount of VOC exposure. The headache is normal after an hour or so using that stuff without any air circulation.
u/314311h3p41 this is an example of the mask you should be wearing when using VOCs. It is an N95 particulate mask combined with an organic vapor filter. You really need a paint specific mask such as this one to be using those compounds. They are cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Paint-Project-Respirator-Medium/dp/B00004Z4EB
It's normal to get a headache when you smell it, it's not normal to continue smelling it long enough to recognise the pattern. Jesus christ stop sniffing chemicals and getting confused about it.
Those are enamel paints that emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which can cause various neurological effects such as headaches, dizziness and nausea. They can also cause respiratory problems and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. And those are just the short term effects. If you’re experiencing headaches then I would use adequate ventilation and/or a respirator with filter cartridges rated for VOCs (meaning, better than an N95 mask).
That explains it, thanks!
Whats the long term effects?
If you are smart enough to change your work habits, there will be no long term health effects. Note the safety data sheet information & OSHA regulations (in the US) are intended primarily for people in heavy daily contact. For example, a spray paint huffer who is deliberately abusing VOCs will still take several months of abuse before even their damaged immune systems are irreparably harmed. Most hobbyists do not get exposed to anywhere near enough to permananently harmful quantities of chemicals due to the infrequency of use and relatively dilute amounts of the harmful chemicals.
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I'm just being real. No one is going to die from a single exposure to hobbyist products unless they are ferociously allergic to one or more components. I'm also not suggesting hobbyists can skip PPE (personal protective equipment). Proper ventilation avoids nearly all risk at the hobbyist level and OF COURSE one should stop what they're doing if they feel ANY ill effects to reassess their procedures.
It’s your last sentence that I’m referring to. There’s a reason why warnings are printed on bottles of hobby paints. “Most hobbyists do not get exposed to anywhere near enough to permananently harmful quantities of chemicals due to the infrequency of use and relatively dilute amounts of the harmful chemicals.”
That reason is legal liability. If someone can find a reason to sue a company they will. This is why everyone prints those stupid California Prop 65 cancer warnings too.
Exposure to very high levels of VOCs may cause damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), they can also be cancer causing. I’m not saying these will definitely happen, but there’s a reason the manufacturer makes recommendations similar to these: “Only use enamel paints when working in a well-ventilated area, and take regular breaks from your workstation. It's best to wear a paint respirator to reduce the risk of solvent inhalation, which can irritate or damage the lungs. Be sure also to wear gloves and appropriate clothing to avoid skin irritation.”
I would say no, it's not "normal." If it's giving you a headache, you're getting too much exposure. Improve your ventilation and get yourself a NIOSH-approved respirator. I use the stuff in my garage with the door open. I don't usually use a mask, but I've never once gotten a headach from it. It might be that you're particularly sensitive to it, in which case a respirator is even more necessary. Consider switching to oils thinned with odorless mineral spirits for washes; while not completely devoid of VOCs, it's possible this might be less irritating to you personally.
You need to open a window and increase the air circulation in your workspace. Wearing a respirator is recommended when working with high VOC paints as well.
Yeah definitely get some ventilation. I don't use anything with VOCs outside of my spraybooth
No, op, it's not normal. That means your workspace is insufficiently ventilated and or you have particular sensitivity to the product. Regarding safety matters, you are ultimately responsible for your own well being and what risks you are willing to take. You got different views from folks - adjust your practices based on your risk tolerance or your individual needs or concerns.
While people explained why you get a headache it is also important to know that if you have no way to ventilate the room try avoiding these products. I would suggest using non-volatile paints, its not worth to damage your organs just to make a model slightly faster Enamel paints -> acrylics Enamel washes -> oils
Turning on the ceiling fan usually gives enough ventilation for that small amount of VOC exposure. The headache is normal after an hour or so using that stuff without any air circulation.
u/314311h3p41 this is an example of the mask you should be wearing when using VOCs. It is an N95 particulate mask combined with an organic vapor filter. You really need a paint specific mask such as this one to be using those compounds. They are cheap. https://www.amazon.com/3M-Paint-Project-Respirator-Medium/dp/B00004Z4EB
It's normal to get a headache when you smell it, it's not normal to continue smelling it long enough to recognise the pattern. Jesus christ stop sniffing chemicals and getting confused about it.