Paint thinner
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A paint thinner is a solvent that is used to dilute or thin oil-based paints — and similar things, such as varnish, which in essence are a colloidal suspension of a solid in a liquid, — and so making them 'more liquid'. Typically, this happens after the paint has lost some of the solvent while in storage, so have become too thick and dried-out for use.
These solvents can also be used as in a paint-brush cleaner to remove or clean items that have become caked in paint.
Solvents labelled 'paint thinner' are often known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds),[1] with the one most usually used white or mineral spirits having a very low flash point at about 40 °C (104 °F),[2] the same as some popular brands of charcoal starter.[3] All such solvents with low flash points are hazardous and must be labelled as flammable.[4][5]
Common solvents historically used as paint thinners include:[6]
- Mineral spirits (North America) / white spirit (United Kingdom and Ireland)
- Acetone often called nail-varnish remover
- Turpentine
- Naphtha
- Toluene
- Lacquer thinner
- Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- Dimethylformamide (DMF)
- Glycol ethers, such as 2-Butoxyethanol
Less common solvents used as paint thinner include:[7][failed verification]
Due to their hazardous nature, in recent decades, the usage of these solvents has been extensively reduced in favour of water-based paints — that is, paints that are formulated to be made with water as the solvent and 'thinner' — which also are much less polluting, so have a much lower environmental impact.
Health concerns[edit]
Extensive exposure to vapours created by paint containing these solvents or its clean-up are hazardous. For the sake of safety, the use of substances containing these solvents should always be done in well-ventilated areas, to limit the health consequences and minimise the risk injuries or fatalities.[8]
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 under-developed countries, workers commonly experience much higher exposure to these chemicals with consequent damage to their health.[original research?]
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.[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Construction hazardous substances: Solvents https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/solvents.htm.htm
- ^ "Is Paint Thinner Flammable?". Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ Material Safety Data Sheet (Revised ed.). Wichita, KS: HOC Industries, Inc. 2003. p. 1.
- ^ Working with substances hazardous to health: Labelling and Packaging https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/labelling-packaging/index.htm
- ^ Working with substances hazardous to health: Hazard pictograms (symbols) https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/labelling-packaging/hazard-symbols-hazard-pictograms.htm
- ^ "How To Thin Paint For Sprayer?". 10 October 2021.
- ^ "THINNER 219 MSDS" (PDF).
- ^ Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHH https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.pdf
- ^ "Paint Thinner Addiction Treatment: Addiction Signs, Causes, And Withdrawal Symptoms". Lybrate. Retrieved 2022-07-26.