What Are The Possible Repercussions Of Being Exposed 15 Minutes For Paint Fumes?

Posted on Fri, 13 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 May 2016 Answered on

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I was just spray painting and although I was wearing a paper mask, when I took the mask off and went to wash my hands I discovered that my nose was colored with spray paint. I washed it off, but then I coughed up and spit out a small amount of paint. I gorged my throat and washed my nose with Q-tips. This was 15 minutes ago, should I be worried?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
while organic solvents and paint fumes are quite hazardous to lung and liver the toxicity is pretty soon with lung and you would notice or long term and need a lot of exposure (lung and liver and blood toxicity.

don't make a habit of it

use ventilation)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar