This is the first time I’ve ever used Humbrol and I only have it for a specific project I’m working on. I use a paint booth but I have a habit of getting close in to my work. I caught a few whiffs of the paint and noticed I didn’t much care for the smell but on I went. Shortly after I finished I noticed my chest tighten and found it a bit tough to breathe.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this with Humbrol enamels? Or any other paint for that matter? I thinned it with laqcuer thinner.
Now, I’ve been sick lately so that may have something to do with it but before I sprayed I felt fine.
There are several possibilities, none of them good:
Your lungs are irritated from being ill, and the irritation from the paint solvent has made it worse.
Your lungs are irritated from being ill, and the irritation from the paint solvent has triggered an allergic reaction.
Unless the symptoms go away rapidly (are gone as you read this), get to the emergency room.
If the symptoms recur to any degree, get to the emergency room.
A severe reaction could be fatal.
Breathing any paint solvent, especially those used in enamels and lacquers, is not good for your lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, nerves, or bone marrow. No matter how close you got to your work, an adequate spray booth should have protected you. Check it out to make sure it is functioning properly.
Thanks Ross.
After about a half hour the sensation diminished.
My booth is large but breathes through two 4" dryer hoses attached to two four inch marine bilge blowers. I figure it moves around 500cfm, may be a bit better.
Sometimes when I get focused on the project I’ll back out of the booth a bit instead of being right up inside of it and notice that the paint will bounce off of the subject and swirl around in front of me.
I may consider getting an organic vapor mask to keep around when the projects are bigger.
I’ve taken the liberty to quote and edit your last sentence to read better, and to be safer! [;)]
They’re not that expensive, far cheaper than what your medical bills and/or funeral would cost.
Thanks, Bgrigg. LOL
I actually use one at work when the need arises but always dismissed the need for one here at the model bench. I have to obtain another to hang next to the booth.
I have had that happen in the past when I was spraying out my airbrush in the garage with Windex and Simple Green at high pressure after airbrushing a T-shirt. I inhaled some of the atomized cleaner and It gave me instant asthma and was no fun at all.
The airbrush atomizes those particles so finely that they are real bad to inhale. Don’t do it! [;)]
The first step is admitting you have a problem…
what everyone says, wear that mask and play it safe.