Question from Carole
I have a question about interior paints. I just rented a small efficiency apartment with hardwood floors. I specifically asked the landlord not to refinish the floors before I moved in, which they did not. They did paint and he assured me that they use latex paint that dries within a few days. Well, I just began moving in and there is still a faint odor from the paint. Noone else can smell it, of course!
I am in there for a short amount of time and start feeling dizzy, which is my main symptom from MCS. I really need to do whatever I can to make this place work. My friends have offered to do whatever they can to help. Should I get some type of sealer to put over all the paint? I noticed that the kitchen cabinet is a metal and they painted it. I’m concerned about this because it was painted over 2 weeks ago and the windows are wide open. I’ve been in homes and even my office that was painted and was fine after a few days.
Any help and suggestions would be so very appreciated! Living with this sensitivity to chemicals is so scary and difficult sometimes. I really need to make this work if at all possible.
Thank you so so much!
Carole
Debra’s Answer
Updated 2020:
You can read more here about how to minimize odor and off-gassing from paint.
I’ll just reiterate here, if you have MCS, make sure the unit is tolerable BEFORE you rent it.
I wholeheartedly endorse KF’s procedures. The next time you move, I’ll bet that you’ll sign a lease quickly and specify in the lease that you are renting the unit AS IS. Any unexpected painting, sealing, etc. after your signature will be sufficient to nullify that contract. k2
“Bakingout” offgassing from waterbased floor varnish versus sealing..i had considered trying to bakeout the offgassing from Vermont Natural Coatings floor finish, until a chemist told me that baking out was discredited years ago as a long term solution, although short term it removes odors.
Why wouldn’t just sealing paint or floor finish stop their offgassing, as in Safecoat sealers?
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
Here’s my experience and understanding. “Baking out,” that is, closing up a room and heating it so chemicals from paints, finishes, and materials can outgas, actually pulls the emissions out of the material. If it is done thoroughly enough, there will be no more emissions to outgas. I have done this successfully many times with clients and in my own home. Sealing traps emissions. From my viewpoint this could be a short-term solution, however, it seems to me that the material would continue to outgas and the sealant might break down over time and would need to be reapplied. That’s why I recommend baking instead of sealing for a large room. For small objects I’ve been known to seal with Safecoat sealers or aluminum foil, as appropriate.