Paint thinner
A paint thinner is a solvent used to dilute oil-based paints[1][2] or varnish. In this context, to dilute is also known as to 'thin'. Paint thinners are diluents. Solvents labeled "paint thinner" are usually white or mineral spirits.
Uses
[edit]After the paint has lost some of the solvent while in storage due to evaporation, paint can become too thick for use, and so paint thinners can be used to dilute or re-dissolve paint to an appropriate consistency.
They can also be used as in a paint-brush cleaner to remove or clean items that have become caked in dried-on paint.
Common paint thinners
[edit]Common solvents historically used as paint thinners include:[3]
- White spirit, also called mineral spirits
- Acetone, often called nail varnish remover
- Turpentine
- Naphtha
- Toluene
- Lacquer thinner
- Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- Dimethylformamide (DMF)
- Glycol ethers, such as 2-Butoxyethanol
Less common solvents used as paint thinner, but still used in the construction industry include:[4]
Hazards and health concerns
[edit]Some paint thinners can ignite from just a small spark in relatively low temperatures. These solvents are often known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), with white or mineral spirits having a very low flash point at about 40 °C (104 °F), the same as some popular brands of charcoal starter. All such solvents with low flash points are hazardous and must be labelled as flammable. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Extensive exposure to the vapours created by paint containing these solvents or its clean-up are hazardous. For safety reasons, the use of substances containing these solvents should always be done in well-ventilated areas, to limit the health consequences and minimise the risk injuries or fatalities.[10]
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has established threshold limit values (TLVs) for most of these compounds.[citation needed] The TLV is defined as the maximum concentration in air which can be breathed by a normal person — i.e. excluding children, pregnant women, etc. — in the course of 40 hours per week, (a typical American work week), day-after-day through their work life without long-term ill effects.
In countries with poor environmental protection regulation, workers commonly experience much higher exposure to these chemicals with consequent damage to their health.[11]
Addiction
[edit]Paint thinners are often used as an inhalant, due to its accessibility and legality as a drug. Many teenagers become addicted to thinner and due to lack of knowledge, parents and caregivers do not notice it or give it much attention. By using paint thinner a person could experience hallucinations, sensitive hearing(for the first time) and speech deformation, memory loss etc.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Chambers Dictionary
- ^ Collins English Dictionary
- ^ "How To Thin Paint For Sprayer?". 10 October 2021.
- ^ Health and Safety Executive "Solvents", Construction Information Sheet No 27 (revision 2), [1]
- ^ Material Safety Data Sheet (Revised ed.). Wichita, KS: HOC Industries, Inc. 2003. p. 1.
- ^ "Is Paint Thinner Flammable?". Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ Health and Safety Executive "Construction hazardous substances: Solvents"[2]
- ^ "Labelling and packaging - Chemical classification". www.hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Hazard symbols and hazard pictograms - Chemical classification". www.hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHH https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.pdf
- ^ "Internal emails reveal how the chemical lobby fights regulation", The Guardian [3]
- ^ "Paint Thinner Addiction Treatment: Addiction Signs, Causes, And Withdrawal Symptoms". Lybrate. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
