This somewhat depends on your definition of 'safe'. It also depends on
what paints products are used. The safest paints are water-based
acrylic paints. These paints often smell a little of ammonia, but are
less likely to affect you badly than oil-, polyurethane-, or
spirit-based paints. However, the water-based varieties often have a
latex in them, and if you have an allergy to latex the results could
be dangerous - breathing difficulties and more.
Typically, walls and ceilings are painted with water-based paints,
while doors and kitchen cupboards are painted with oil-based paints.
Clear varnishes and the like, often used to finish wooden floors, can
be bad. The worst of those are polyurethane-based, while some are just
water-based and not so bad. There are paints now that have reduced
VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). If you have any say in what paints
are used, you could try to buy these.
Water-based paints will completely dry the same day in most weather.
Oil-based paints take much longer to properly dry, though they can be
touch-dry in a few hours. Because they take longer to dry, oil paints
will smell for longer too.
The most common problems associated with paint fumes are: eye and
throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and trouble breathing. If you
have long-term exposure - and four days would fall into this category
- you could end up with chronic headaches, nausea, drowsiness, and
asthma.
Regardless of the paints used, you will feel better if you avoid the
fumes. If you home is being painted with more than just acrylic
paints, it would be a very good idea to at least sleep somewhere else.
If you cannot sleep elsewhere, then you will need to ventilate the
place. In fact, even if you do sleep until the job is done, it will
help to ventilate the place when you come back. Placing buckets of
water around on the floor somehow absorbs fumes too. If you are there
during the day as it's being painted you could buy a respirator if
necessary. They aren't expensive, though they can be uncomfortable,
especially in hot weather.
Cats will suffer the same symptoms as humans, though at a higher
level. Again, keeping the place well ventilated is the key. |
