[raisetheroof]

Hello, we painted the kitchen ceiling and walls one coat of Valspar Aspire Exterior Paint (Flat White) with 1 gallon of paint. The question we have is does this paint, due to its formulation for the exterior, pose a threat to human health in the short term or/and the long term, despite the low VOC, low odor claim on the container? If so, are there any solutions to fix this mistake? At this point it has been 24 hours since application.

Thank you so much!

 

[Windows on Wash]

Pull an MSDS sheet on the paint and it will go over all the chemical composition and concerns associated with the paint. In either case, you are going to have to let it fully cure before you would put even a layer of interior latex over it. I would try to exchange the air in that room in the meantime and get fresh air into it.

The reality is that even the exterior paints are so clean these days that they are probably less dangerous than interior paints were 15 years ago.

 

[mark sr]

If you supply fresh air ventilation during the off gassing process there shouldn't be any short term health concerns, none at all long term. The off gassing may last for a week or two but most of it happens in the first several days.

 

[raisetheroof]

Thank you both for your helpful responses. I gather that after a couple of weeks of exchanging the kitchen air with the outdoor air, the off-gassing will be a non-issue. How about the additives (e.g., mildewcide) to make exterior paint durable? Are they any threat to human health?



I could not find the MSDS for the Aspire product with the UPC code of 0 80047 21042 2. I was only able to access the product PDF.


Would your final word be to leave the new kitchen paint alone, continue to exchange kitchen air with fresh air, and after a couple of weeks, don't worry about it?


Thanks!

 

[Nik333]

It's an SDS, not MSDS since 2015. Just search name of paint and SDS. I found it.
The crystalline silica is carcinogenic to humans.

 

[Windows on Wash]

It's an SDS, not MSDS since 2015. Just search name of paint and SDS. I found it.
The crystalline silica is carcinogenic to humans.

Get out...

 

[mark sr]

crystalline silica is carcinogenic to humans

True but it's not like you have much exposure with dried paint, it's not like you are sanding it. Once the off gassing is done there shouldn't be any worries.

 

[raisetheroof]

It's an SDS, not MSDS since 2015. Just search name of paint and SDS. I found it.
The crystalline silica is carcinogenic to humans.

Thank you. I found it since as well.


It seems like the concerns are with the following:

Ingredients, Percent by Weight

Titanium Dioxide ≥10 - ≤25
Zinc Oxide ≤3
Cristobalite, respirable powder ≤3
Heavy Paraffinic Oil ≤1
Benzophenone ≤0.3
Crystalline Silica, respirable powder ≤0.3


Are the hazards only while the paint is wet and if the paint is scraped after drying forming dust?

 

[Nik333]

You could ask the paint company. Call them. They may ask why you used Exterior paint inside.


I'm not a paint expert, more Health experienced.

 

[mark sr]

Are the hazards only while the paint is wet and if the paint is scraped after drying forming dust?

As far as I know - yes.
I've been in the painting trade all my life but I'm not a chemist or healthcare worker.

 

[raisetheroof]

You could ask the paint company. Call them. They may ask why you used Exterior paint inside.


I'm not a paint expert, more Health experienced.

We spoke with both Valspar and Sherwin-Williams, who acquired Valspar. One individual said after 30 days the paint is cured and then is no more off-gassing. (I don't know if that meant no more worries in general, for example, no need to worry about the other ingredients in the paint so long as they are not disturbed.)


In another conversation, two others said to not use exterior paint inside due to the health risk. One of them suggested to cover the existing coat with a shellac coat to seal in the exterior paint and then a coat of interior paint. He specifically mentioned the mildewcide effects which lasts for longer than the 30 days. He may have said years.

The best thing to do would have been to purchase the safest paint. But, here we are. Just trying to not make more stupid decisions.

 

[mark sr]

Bath paints also have extra mildewcide so I wouldn't expect that to be an issue.

 

[huesmann]

The crystalline silica is not an offgassing hazard. It's the particles, which irritate the lungs—basically like silicosis. The amount of silica that can be inhaled from scraping is probably minimal, but you could encapsulate by painting over it with a non-silica indoor paint.

 

[Gymschu]

For some purposes I use an exterior grade paint inside, no names please. In fact, I just painted some built in cabinets in my own home with exterior semi-gloss. It's cheaper than any of the waterborne enamels and I like how it looks for some things like shelving and some trim. I've been doing this for the last 10-15 years in my own home. I'm still here for what it's worth.

 

[woodco]

Bath paints also have extra mildewcide so I wouldn't expect that to be an issue.

Yeah, but exterior paints have a hell of a lot more.