Can you sleep in a freshly painted room

Can you sleep in a freshly painted room

You might be wondering, what are the chemical composition of the paint and what effect will freshly painted room have. Are you the type that gets skin irritation when in contact with paint? Do you think you’re allergic to fresh paints? Or are you pregnant? These questions are what you may ask yourself first to know if you are in a position or condition to sleep in a freshly painted room no matter what.

Considering your health status, you must do well to note that certain things need to be done before you can sleep in a painted room the same night you painted it. Therefore, the following are what is expected of you to follow, and they are:

  • It would help if you used safe paint, especially those with lower or zero VOCs (volatile organics compounds).
  • Maintain good ventilation by keeping your windows open and the fan running.
    And start painting as early as possible, necessarily on a sunny day!

Lastly, other reasons that are likely to put you off from sleeping in a freshly painted room are signs like; having or feeling light-headed because of the smell of the paint, which would mean that you have to find somewhere else to sleep!

Is it safe to sleep in a freshly painted room?

Just got your room painted? Want to know whether it is safe or not to sleep there? If so then, this article got you covered!

Now, if you are just about to get your room painted and still wonder if it is safe to sleep there immediately after the painters have done the work, do not panic and should rest reassured because so long as you gave it enough time to dry, then there is no problem. Which makes the answer to this question to be yes!.

Sleeping in a freshly painted room when pregnant?

About getting a nursery painted? Preparing for your new child? Of course, as a pregnant and expectant woman, this excitement is surreal, but then, you need to know that paint fumes can be very hazardous to the health of your unborn child, and it is dangerous for you to inhale it.

Exposure to these fumes, most especially during the first trimester, usually leads to some types of congenital anomalies and others like malformation of the unborn child’s ears, face, neck, nervous system, and renal system. Also, there is a likely outbreak of leukaemia in the unborn child, as shown by the research carried out by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

In extreme cases of exposure, there will be results of congenital malformation, that is, birth defects and miscarriage.

In addition, young children who are still in their developmental stages should be properly kept away from freshly painted rooms as it would have an adverse effect on their health, even leading to memory loss.

Can you get sick from sleeping in a freshly painted room?

Yes!

It is pretty possible for you to get sick because by the time you must have finished painting, you may experience minor symptoms such as; dizziness, headaches, eye-watering, and breathing problems. This could either be a long or short-term health effect.
Lastly, the likelihood of vision problems and lung irritation is said to occur as well.

How long should I wait to sleep in a freshly painted room?

Theoretically, the time it would take for you to wait depends on the type of paint that you used because that would be the critical factor in deciding whether or not and when it is safe to move in.

Water-based paints – should take between 3 to 4 hours. Use a dehumidifier with your rooms being well ventilated by opening the windows and keeping your fan running.

For Oil-based paints / enamels – about 24 to 30 hours.

Zero VOC paint – should take about 30 minutes or so.

How long do paint fumes stay in your system?

The answer to this question narrows everything down to your body’s detoxification system! How effective are your body’s detox and elimination system? Whether you inhale paint, petrol or cigarettes all depends on this!.

You need to optimize this process by eating an adequate proportion of the diet and getting sufficient rest to enhance your body to repair, exercising to produce more sweat, and engaging in bio-energetic routines to increase the waste elimination of toxins in your body system.

If you do not follow any of these, then expect paint fumes to damage your liver, leaving you with toxic bile that is supposed to be gotten rid of for your complete well-being.

What happens if you sleep in a freshly painted room?

Sleeping in a freshly painted room can result in allergic reactions in children, pregnant women, the elderly, and pets due to the VOC chemicals, which damages the organs and nervous system.

Most people can develop skin irritation due to contact with the paint.

Inhalation of high VOCs paint?

This can lead to damage to the kidney, liver, and nervous system, including cancer, and this is the reason why The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends leaving the room immediately.

Is it dangerous to sleep in a freshly painted room?

By taking a closer look at this question. You will see that it is a question that homeowners are tendering as they commence. Or must have finished their bedroom painting projects. Professional has then brought to our notice that this would only depend on the type of paint the homeowners used.

To get things straight! If you are the type that gets sensitive to smell, I suggest you go for zero odour paint. Although it is costly when it comes to drying up faster, it is the best at it. And also, it is an odorless paint. This makes low-VOC paints safe for people with allergies and small children likewise.

Now, if you wish to know more about how safe or dangerous it is to sleep in a freshly painted apartment. You have to know it based on the type of paint you use.

So, for each type we have;
Oil-based paint- which is not eco-friendly would take a lot of time, as almost 2 to 8 hours for drying after painting and then could take over two weeks for the total release of the contained toxins, which means you will have to wait for that two weeks to expire before you can be able to sleep in that room.
Zero- VOC paint– this one is an odorless paint, and it is perfectly safe for you to sleep in the room the same day you paint it because it does not emit or give off toxic chemicals.
Low-VOC Paint– the same thing goes for this paint, as it is an odorless paint, harmless to sleep in the room in the same place you paint.

Note: it is advisable that you go for Zero or Low-VOC paints for all your home interiors.

Paint fumes

In addition, paint does have side effects. However, it’s usually the fumes (paint fumes), and this is the liquid that evaporates from paints into the atmosphere. Thereby giving off Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). You are at risk when you ingest or inhale these fumes. Hence, the need to wear a protective mask (most especially the painters) because they contact it directly.

Also read: Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished

 

Studies on paint inhalation

Thorough research has, of course, been made and has made us know that; you can develop asthma if you inhale paint fumes for an extended period. Also, some forms of cancer were found developed in animals, having been tested on them.

Paint types

There are three main types of paints, and they are;

Oil-based: which is the one that gives off a more potent odor and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and this makes it the type of paint that would require adequate ventilation and more time to dry. It is an alkyl type of paint. If you are not careful and do not wait for your oil-based paint to dry well, it could affect your children’s health and cause them headaches, sinus discomfort, or nausea.

Water-based: this one is known to dry relatively quickly, emits a few more VOCs than the latter, and does not have a strong odor. It is latex paint. They are common in homes and interior painting and possess this great resistance to harsh wear and tear, unlike the oil-based paint but do not give a smooth finish just like the oil-based paint, which is why most homes opt-in for the latter.

Low-or non-VOC paints: are considered the safest of all house paints because of the little or no amount of those irritating and harmful VOCs, and it does not need you to wait for a long while or any period after painting.

So, the first two both vary in their drying times and fume levels. And for water-based paint, you have to wait for about 24 hours for it to dry. Therefore, it is advisable to get safe and professional. Interior painting services from the best fit in your space for professional and smooth painting work.

Conclusion

As a homeowner, make sure you use the safest paint for your interiors and benefit your health. By doing so, it is either you go for the low or zero- VOCs paint. Also, after painting, give it a period before you can sleep in the room and ensure proper ventilation.

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