Question from Drey
Hi, I just found your site and I hope you can answer my question. I’m looking for a place to live and just found a place I love, but after about 10 minutes started to get a horrible headache that lasted the rest of the evening. The owner of the house said she’d painted the inside back in October ’06. Can it be possible that I’m reacting to paint outgassing after 3 months?
Thanks!
Drey
Debra’s Answer
It depends on the type of paint used. If it was an oil-based paint, it’s quite likely, particularly since the three months have been in a cool season.
If it was a water-based paint, as most are nowadays, it is probably dry by now and you are reacting to something else.
If you really want this house, ask if you can leave the heat on for several days (with doors and windows closed). Then air the house out for several hours. If after this you are still reacting, then I’d pass.
It may be something other than the paint.
