California Dept Of Health Paint Stripper Warning | Medford Oregon ...

Posted 9 hours, 28 minutes ago @ admin

The California Department of Public Health has released a public warning to painting companies, bathtub refinishers and the general public warning of the dangers of using paint strippers to remove old or peeling paint coatings. According to the CDPH the chemical Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) which is present in paint stipping products has been found to have caused several deaths nationwide including the recent 2011 death of a worker in California working in a paint factory.

Inhaling the vapors from paint strippers containing Methylene Chloride can cause chest pain, throat irritation, dizziness, headaches and liver damage. Excessive exposure in confined spaces can even cause death as reported in this article. We have been asked by the CDPH to put out this warning in hopes to educate the public and industry on the dangers of using paint strippers.

Since 2000 thirteen bathtub refinishers have died from being overexposed to the Methylene Chloride based paint strippers. They were all working in rooms that were closed-off and without proper ventilation. The 2011 paint factory worker was killed while using a paint stripper inside a paint mixing tank. Other industries that use paint strippers are furniture refinishers, boat manufactures and hobbyists.

To protect yourself from exposure to MecI based paint stippers, the CDPH recommends using another stripper that does not contain this chimical. Use of proper ventilation equipment is also recommended along with using an air-supplied respirator versus a cartridge type respirator. Dust masks provide no protection while cartridge type respirators clog and saturate to quickly. Gloves are another safety item that should be worn while using paint strippers. The proper gloves must be chemical resistant.

Further Information may be obtained at: Full Article

Author: Medfordcitysearch.com

Tags: california dept of public health, hazardous chemicals, Methylene Chloride, paint stripper, warning