Sleeping/breathing in some paint fumes, safe/okay?
May 24, 2022 6:08 PM
The apartment unit next door to mine was repainted today. Had a very strong, chemical odor, similar to bathtub glazing. Had to open my living room's sliding door and bedroom windows, and run my floor fan at full blast. Smell has subsided for the most part in the bedroom, but is it safe to sleep there tonight?
The apartment next door is on the bedroom and bathroom side of my apartment, and both rooms smelled strongly of the paint/chemical fumes when the next door apartment was painted today. I can smell it very faintly in the living room and kitchen, but having the sliding door open helps. My bedroom has windows (not the bathroom), and they're open, with a floor fan running on high.
In my bedroom, the smell has mostly subsided, but earlier when I was using my bathroom for a while, I started to have headaches. I'm a bit concerned if it's safe to sleep in my bedroom tonight, or if I should use my living room couch. I had a long day, and want a good night's sleep in my own bed, but wanted to check for the safety of my mind/body with any potential fumes lingering. Do not want to consume toxic fumes if I can't help it.
Not sure why the fumes are so strong. Maybe it's some kind of sealant or polish or something? When I first noticed the odor this morning, I asked the maintenance staff, who confirmed the unit was being repainted then cleaned. Doesn't smell like just paint, but I don't know, as I don't have access to the unit next door, and don't know what paint smells like other than that slightly sweet-smelling smell of some paints, so it could just be paint. Building is 10 years old, so definitely shouldn't be lead-related.
Thanks!
The apartment next door is on the bedroom and bathroom side of my apartment, and both rooms smelled strongly of the paint/chemical fumes when the next door apartment was painted today. I can smell it very faintly in the living room and kitchen, but having the sliding door open helps. My bedroom has windows (not the bathroom), and they're open, with a floor fan running on high.
In my bedroom, the smell has mostly subsided, but earlier when I was using my bathroom for a while, I started to have headaches. I'm a bit concerned if it's safe to sleep in my bedroom tonight, or if I should use my living room couch. I had a long day, and want a good night's sleep in my own bed, but wanted to check for the safety of my mind/body with any potential fumes lingering. Do not want to consume toxic fumes if I can't help it.
Not sure why the fumes are so strong. Maybe it's some kind of sealant or polish or something? When I first noticed the odor this morning, I asked the maintenance staff, who confirmed the unit was being repainted then cleaned. Doesn't smell like just paint, but I don't know, as I don't have access to the unit next door, and don't know what paint smells like other than that slightly sweet-smelling smell of some paints, so it could just be paint. Building is 10 years old, so definitely shouldn't be lead-related.
Thanks!
Kilz, is an underpaint that is fumey. If it gave you a headache at the onset, but you can keep windows open you should be OK.
posted by Oyéah at 7:08 PM on May 24, 2022
posted by Oyéah at 7:08 PM on May 24, 2022
If it is giving you a headache when you are in the bathroom, sleep on the living room couch with the sliding door open. Most paints are now low-VOC, so you would not smell the paint in the next apartment. They must be using something like Kilz. You don't want to be breathing the fumes of Kill--it can cause organic brain damage.
Tomorrow first thing call the management company/landlord and ask them to open all the windows in the apt being painted, and use a fan to push the fumes out. You can ask them what paint or solvent they are using, but I doubt they will tell you the truth.
posted by KayQuestions at 7:45 PM on May 24, 2022
Tomorrow first thing call the management company/landlord and ask them to open all the windows in the apt being painted, and use a fan to push the fumes out. You can ask them what paint or solvent they are using, but I doubt they will tell you the truth.
posted by KayQuestions at 7:45 PM on May 24, 2022
Thanks for the help! So far, my bedroom smells fine, no headaches coming on. I'll give it a try tonight and sleep and see how it goes, with the window open and fan running.
Incidentally, the living room had the sliding door closed, while I hit the gym up, and now it smells like the paint.
Oh, and @KayQuestions, management did say they did just that (opened windows, added a fan in the unit) when I shared with them earlier in the afternoon that I was getting headaches. Didn't think to ask which paint/solvent they were using, but it's possible they don't know—they tend to utilize contractors to do that kind of work here. If the (unoccupied currently) apartment door is open tomorrow, I'll take a peek.
posted by dubious_dude at 8:01 PM on May 24, 2022
Incidentally, the living room had the sliding door closed, while I hit the gym up, and now it smells like the paint.
Oh, and @KayQuestions, management did say they did just that (opened windows, added a fan in the unit) when I shared with them earlier in the afternoon that I was getting headaches. Didn't think to ask which paint/solvent they were using, but it's possible they don't know—they tend to utilize contractors to do that kind of work here. If the (unoccupied currently) apartment door is open tomorrow, I'll take a peek.
posted by dubious_dude at 8:01 PM on May 24, 2022
Verdict: I survived. :)
posted by dubious_dude at 1:17 PM on May 25, 2022
posted by dubious_dude at 1:17 PM on May 25, 2022
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posted by dianeF at 7:04 PM on May 24, 2022