Household Solvents and Paint Strippers: Common Hazardous Wastes in Every Home Handling Wastes: Household Solvents From paint stripper to nail pollish remover, household solvents are all too common throughout every home. A solvent is a substance that dissolves another substance forming a solution. Solvents that contain carbon are known as organic solvents and can contain chemicals considered hazardous -- they can be flammable and toxic. Some household maintenance and cleaning products contain organic solvents such as petroleum distillates. These are sometimes used to dissolve difficult stains or greases on certain materials that may be damaged by water-based cleaners. Organic solvents are used in household maintenance items as a carrier, thinner, and remover. However, wastes and leftovers can result in potentially hazardous household waste. For example, one cup of trichloroethylene, a solvent sometimes found in household cleaners or maintenance items, can contaminate about three million gallons of water. Hazards of Solvents Organic solvents can produce the following environmental and health hazards when used, stored, or incorrectly disposed. Environmental Air pollution Water and soil contamination Harm wildlife Health Fires Poisoning Skin damage Eye injury Lung damage Liver and kidney damage Nervous systems disorders, nerve damage Allergies Identifying Products Containing Organic Solvents Even though the labels may not clearly state that the product contains an organic solvent, they do give indicators such as the terms FLAMMABLE, COMBUSTIBLE or CONTAINS PETROLEUM DISTILLATES. Solvents may have a distinct odor. If your product meets one or more of the following criteria, it may contain an organic solvent. it hardens or evaporates rapidly on the surface after application (polishes, waxes) strong "solvent" odor such as gas or kerosene odor contains petroleum distillates the label says the product is flammable the label says breathing vapors may be harmful Understanding the general types of products that may contain solvents can remind us to read the manufacturer's label for additional information in selection and safe use, storage and disposal. A list of products that may contain organic solvents is provided for identifying such products: Generally 100 percent organic solvents: Furniture stripper Turpentine Charcoal lighter fluid Drycleaning fluids Paint thinner Nail polish remover Degreasers Lubricating Oils Fuels May be partially solvent-based (some are water or detergent based) Furniture oils, polishes, wax Shoe care products Spot removers Rug and upholstery spot remover cleaners Glues/adhesives Metal and wood cleaners Paints Wood finishes (varnish, shellac, stain) Some examples of label key words indicating the presence of organic solvents: Benzene carbon tetrachloride* chlorinated solvents diethyl or dimethyl phthalate methylene chloride paradichlorobenzene perchloroethylene (or tetrachloroethylene) petroleum distillates phenol. toluene (mineral spirits) 1,1,1 trichloroethane xylene (*No longer permitted in products for home use.) Prevention of Household Hazardous Waste To reduce household hazardous waste, start with prevention. Buy only what you need. Buy the most appropriate product for the job and the least hazardous product -- use alternative less hazardous products. Check to see if you already have the product on hand before buying more. Ask if a neighbor has some of the leftover product you can use up. Use Less Hazardous Products Where appropriate, use water-based rather than organic solvent-based adhesives, cleaners, paints, finishes, etc. Caution or warning usually imply less hazard than danger or poison on the product label. Use mechanical devices if possible such as drain plunger or plumber's snake when appropriate for the job. Managing and Disposing of Solvents Completely use up the solvent or share it with others to use if safe to do so. Household hazardous waste collections in a limited number of communities are held to specifically manage household hazardous products. If it is not possible to take the product to a household hazardous waste collection site or to completely use up the solvent and only small quantities remain (quantities so small as to be unusable), it may be evaporated. Evaporate the solvent in small quantities allowing the residue, if any, to harden for disposal either at a hazardous waste collection or permitted sanitary landfill if accepted. Do not burn the hardened residue as the residue may give off toxic fumes, leave a toxic residue or be dangerous to burn. If the solvent is in an aerosol form, use up or give away for others to use up. Place the empty container in the trash for disposal in a permitted sanitary landfill. Be very careful of potential combustion and do not breath the vapors. To evaporate: (Evaporation may not be recommended in some areas due to air quality issues.) Move the container to a secure, sheltered outdoor area away from spark sources or flames, children and pets. Open the lid and allow liquid to dry. Discard hardened residue at household hazardous waste collection or in trash if permissible by transfer station or landfill. Solvents flushed in a community waste water treatment system or a home septic system may interfere with the normal biodegradation process. Toxic solvents can pass through the system unchanged to be discharged directly into the drainfield soil and might move back into well water. Septic systems can only partially treat chemical wastes. Technically, most household waste is exempt under RCRA hazardous waste regulations. However, householders should manage potentially hazardous household waste responsibly. References Andrews, E. (1989) Paint and Other Home Improvement Products. (G3554) Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Extension. Lund, H. (1993). The McGraw-Hill recycling handbook. NY: McGraw-Hill. Proceedings of the National EPA Conference on Household Hazardous Waste (1990,1991,1992,1993,1994). Andover MA: Dana Duxbury & Associates. Disposal Do it Right. Household Products Disposal Council. Nebraska University Cooperative Extension by Shirley Niemeyer, Extension Specialist, Home Environment Kathleen Heiden, Graduate Student, UN-L Wayne Woldt, Extension Specialist, Waste Management What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers IF NOT PROPERLY USED, PAINT STRIPPERS ARE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. Paint strippers contain chemicals that loosen paint from surfaces. These chemicals can harm you if not used properly. Some paint stripping chemicals can irritate the skin and eyes, or cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Some may cause cancer, reproductive problems, or damage of the liver, kidney, or brain. Others catch fire easily. Proper handling and use of paint strippers will reduce your exposure to these chemicals and lessen your health risk. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Paint strippers contain different chemicals, and the potential hazards are different for various products. Each product has specific safety precautions (see the section below on paint stripper types). However, there are some general safety steps to keep in mind when using any paint stripper. If you use paint strippers frequently, it is particularly important that you follow these steps: 1. Always read and follow all the instructions and safety precautions on the label. Do not assume you already know how to use the product. The hazards may be different from one product to another, and the ingredients in individual products often change over time. The label tells you what actions you should take to reduce hazards and the first aid measures to use. 2. Wear chemical-resistant gloves appropriate to the type of stripper being used (see manufacturer's instructions). Common kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection. 3. Avoid getting the paint stripper on your skin or in your eyes. Wear protective clothing and goggles appropriate for the project and type of stripper. 4. Use paint strippers outdoors if possible. If you must use them indoors, cross-ventilate by opening all doors and windows. Make sure there is fresh air movement throughout the room. Ventilate the area before, during, and after applying and stripping. Never use any paint stripper in a poorly ventilated area. If work must be done indoors under low ventilation conditions, consider having the work done professionally instead of attempting it yourself. 5. If you must work indoors, always work so the stripper fumes are blowing away from you and to the outside. A fan can be used to improve cross-ventilation and to ensure fresh air movement. A fan is particularly important for nonflammable products that evaporate quickly, such as methylene chloride. Electrical sparks from fans may increase the chance of flammable paint strippers fumes to catch fire. 6. Do not use flammable paint strippers near any source of sparks, flame, or high heat. Do not work near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or other electric hand tools. Open flames, cigarettes, matches, lighters, pilot lights, or electric sparks can cause the chemicals in the paint strippers to suddenly catch fire. 7. Only strip paint with chemicals that are marketed as paint strippers. Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene to strip paint. 8. Dispose of paint strippers according to the instructions on the label. If you have any questions, ask your local environmental sanitation department about proper disposal. TYPES OF PAINT STRIPPERS SOLVENT-BASED STRIPPERS Most paint strippers are solvent-based. Solvents dissolve the bond between wood and paint. Solvents also can dissolve other materials, including the latex or rubber of common household or dish washing gloves. Some solvents will irritate or burn the skin. Some solvents may cause serious health effects even if contact does not immediately cause pain. In addition, many solvents evaporate quickly and you can easily inhale them. Inhalation of these solvents can produce health effects immediately or years after exposure. It is especially important to use paint strippers containing solvents that evaporate quickly either outdoors or in an indoor area with strong fresh air movement. Some paint strippers contain solvents that do not evaporate quickly. When using these strippers indoors, be sure to open windows and doors to provide fresh air movement in and out of the work site. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions. Use the amount of stripper recommended by the manufacturer to avoid buildup of harmful fumes. The different types of solvent-based paint strippers and their potential hazards and safety precautions are: == Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane, or DCM) -- Methylene chloride is the most commonly used chemical in paint strippers. Methylene chloride products come in two varieties. One type is nonflammable, while the other type is flammable. The flammable paint strippers have less methylene chloride but have other flammable chemicals, including acetone, toluene, or methanol. Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consider the chemical to be a potential cause of cancer in humans. Methylene chloride evaporates quickly, and you can inhale it easily. Breathing high levels of methylene chloride over short periods can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and lungs. It can also cause dizziness, headache, and lack of coordination. Your body changes some inhaled methylene chloride to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This can cause problems for people with heart, lung, or blood diseases who use methylene chloride paint strippers indoors without fresh air cross-ventilation. High exposures to methylene chloride for long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage. It is very important to reduce your exposure to methylene chloride vapors. It is very important to have a lot of fresh air when using methylene chloride products. Use methylene chloride paint strippers outdoors if possible. If you must use them indoors, open all doors and windows to ensure that the fresh air is moving in and out of the room. For indoor use of nonflammable methylene chloride strippers, also use a fan to keep fresh air moving throughout the work area. Electrical sparks from fans may increase the chance of flammable paint strippers fumes to catch fire. The safest place to use flammable methylene chloride strippers is outdoors away from any source of sparks, flame, or high heat. == Acetone, toluene, and methanol -- These chemicals are commonly used together. All three chemicals evaporate quickly and are very flammable. Breathing high levels of these chemicals can cause a variety of effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Breathing high levels of toluene may harm unborn children. Breathing very high levels for a long period may cause brain damage. Toluene and methanol are poisonous if swallowed. To avoid fire and health problems, it is very important to use products containing these chemicals only in areas with plenty of fresh air. Do not work near an open flame, pilot lights, or electrical sparks when using flammable paint strippers. Do not use strippers near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or other electric hand tools. == N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) -- Excessive contact with NMP may cause skin swelling, blistering, and burns. These skin reactions may not appear until some time after exposure. N-methylpyrrolidone can readily get into the body through the skin and may cause health problems. NMP may cause reproductive problems and harm to unborn children. It is very important to wear chemical-resistant gloves and avoid skin contact when using this solvent. Wash hands immediately after use, even when wearing gloves. Gloves should fit properly and be chemical-resistant. Common kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection. Avoid using this product for extended periods in an enclosed area without open doors or windows to the outside for cross-ventilation. == Dibasic esters (DBE), including dimethyl adipate ester, dimethyl succinate ester, and dimethyl glutarate ester -- Much less is known about the possible health effects of these chemicals than about most of the other paint stripping chemicals. Some people using DBE products without fresh air have reported temporary blurred vision. Repeatedly breathing DBE damages the cells lining the nose of laboratory animals. Some strippers include a mixture of DBE products and NMP. Avoid using this product for extended periods in an enclosed area without open doors or windows to the outside for cross-ventilation. Use appropriate protective clothing and provide fresh air to the work site when using these products. CAUSTIC-BASED STRPPERS (NOT FLAMMABLE) == Caustic alkalis -- Caustic alkalis react with the paint coating and loosen it from the surface. One of the chemicals in this type of stripper is sodium hydroxide (lye). Some people do not use caustic alkalis because caustic products can darken wood and raise the grain. Caustics can cause severe burns to skin and eyes even on short contact. Therefore, be very careful to keep caustic chemicals away from skin and eyes and wear protective clothing. If contact occurs, wash off immediately with cold water. Caustics are also highly toxic if swallowed. It is very important to avoid skin and eye contact when using caustic alkalis. Use gloves that fit properly and are appropriate for caustic alkalis. Wear appropriate protective clothing and goggles when using caustic alkalis. OTHER TYPES OF PAINT STRIPPERS Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make "environmentally friendly" claims. However, these paint strippers may be hazardous despite the smell and environmental claims. It is important to use appropriate protective clothing and fresh air for cross-ventilation when using these products. For more information on indoor air quality, contact: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 800-438-4318 CPSC 423 009509 EPA 747-F -95-002 Additional Household Hazardous Waste Resources by the Home Air Purifier Expert Here are some of our other information packed guides we recommend you explore in your search for information about controlling Household Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals like those found in paints, stains, varnishes, thinners, and laquers: For more information about household solvents and hundreds of other potentially hazardous household products don't miss Our famous Household Chemical Encyclopedia which has a section on Household Solvents - this is one of the largest guides to household products and their chemical components on the internet today! Learn the hazardous nature of over 100 household products lurking in your home. Toxic chemical ingredients in such houshold products as paint, varnish, stains, solvents, or laquers are explained. Most of us seem to have a Household Chemical addiction. Our complete guide will not only make you want to kick the habit, but will also show you how! Our Guide to Paint Related Products will explain why paint (a common source of household solvents) is one of the most prevalent sources of toxic household chemicals. Learn how to use and dispose of paint and paint-related products safely. Household Product Manufacturer Directory with 6,000 household products and 354 household product manufacturer contacts. Specific household product ingredients and MSDS information being added all the time. Our Household Product Safety Guide has tips for the safe use and disposal of household products found throughout your home. Our Guide to Hazardous Substances will give you more safety information about common household products and the toxic chemicals they contain. Our Asbestos Bible and Asbestos MSDS is an extensive guide to every aspect of asbestos health hazards, exposure risks, abatement resources and tips, answers to common questions, and toxicological information. Our Radon Gas Guide is not to be missed especially if you are a smoker. We all need to have our homes tested for Radon no matter where we live. You're probably breathing this deadly gas into your lungs right now! Question is, how much? Our Radon guide will help you answer that question and many more. Our Benzene Bible with Benzene MSDS is an extensive collection of health and toxicological information about Benzene, including practical answers to common questions about Benzene. Our Formaldehyde Bible with Formaldehyde MSDS will explain the how, where, when, and why of one of the most common volatile organic chemicals contaminating your indoor air. Our Acetone Bible with Acetone MSDS is an extensive source of information about one of the most common organic solvents associated with paint use and disposal. Our Mercury Bible with Mercury MSDS will answer every possible question you could have about one of the most serious public health hazards affecting societies today. Mercury has fungicide properties so was added many paints in the past. Is Mercury in your paint? Is Mercury in your blood stream? ABSOLUTELY! Learn why and the resultant health affects of our body burden of Mercury. Our Lead Bible with Lead MSDS is an extensive guide to Lead which answers every possible question about Lead and why it's also one of the most serious public health hazards affecting children and families today. Lead in water and Lead based paint is of particular concern to children and pregnant women; but it's found in all our bloodstreams, learn why and how to reduce exposure to Lead. Back to Top