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.

After the paint has lost some of the solvent while in storage, paint can become too thick and dried-out for use.

Some paint thinners spontaneously ignite in relatively low temperature. The most common paint thinner, white spirit, has a very low flash point, at about 40 °C (104 °F),[3] the same as some popular brands of charcoal starter.[4] All such solvents with low flash points are hazardous and must be labelled as flammable.[5][6]

Uses

Paint thinners can be used to dilute or re-dissolve paint. They can also be used as in a paint-brush cleaner to remove or clean items that have become caked in paint.

Common paint thinners

Common solvents historically used as paint thinners include:[7]

Less common solvents used as paint thinner, but still used in the construction industry include:[8]

Health concerns

Extensive exposure to 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.[9]

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has established threshold limit values (TLVs) for most of these compounds.[citation needed] 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.[10]

Addiction

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.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Chambers Dictionary
  2. ^ Collins English Dictionary
  3. ^ "Is Paint Thinner Flammable?". Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  4. ^ Material Safety Data Sheet (Revised ed.). Wichita, KS: HOC Industries, Inc. 2003. p. 1.
  5. ^ "Labelling and packaging – Chemical classification". www.hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  6. ^ "Hazard symbols and hazard pictograms – Chemical classification". www.hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  7. ^ "How To Thin Paint For Sprayer?". 10 October 2021.
  8. ^ Health and Safety Executive "Solvents", Construction Information Sheet No 27 (revision 2), [1]
  9. ^ Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHH https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.pdf
  10. ^ "Internal emails reveal how the chemical lobby fights regulation", The Guardian [2]
  11. ^ "Paint Thinner Addiction Treatment: Addiction Signs, Causes, And Withdrawal Symptoms". Lybrate. Retrieved 2022-07-26.


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