Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Is it ok to let a toddler paint with normal household emulsion or is it too toxic?

19 replies

MrsTriangle · 24/01/2010 21:25

We wondered if our 18 month old and 3 year old might like to help us do some painting but I'm worried that it might be too toxic. Does anyone know?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 24/01/2010 21:26

TOXIC

PrivetDancer · 24/01/2010 21:28

That sounds like a very bad idea.

iheartdusty · 24/01/2010 21:35

only if this is the effect you are hoping for

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

skidoodle · 24/01/2010 21:38

Is it really that toxic? Household emulsion that people have all over their homes?

FromGirders · 24/01/2010 21:41

Oh. My kids helped paint their rooms when they were 4.5 and 3. Um, they were fine, and didn't put any in their mouths. It never even occurred to me it might be toxic (I only do risk assessments on things for my mindees, obviously )
I'd recommend old clothes and shower caps.

It was fun, by the way.

FromGirders · 24/01/2010 21:41

Didn't let them do gloss though.

MrsTriangle · 24/01/2010 21:41

oh dear - that's not really the effect we were looking for!!!!! It's currently an empty room with carpet still to go down!

oh dear - is it really toxic?

OP posts:
TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 24/01/2010 21:45

OK, it's a copy & paste....

Chemical cocktails
The chemicals in ordinary paints can contaminate the environment. For each ton of paint produced, the resulting waste can be anything up to 30 tons. This waste can be toxic and doesn?t degrade naturally. Emulsions produce less waste than gloss or varnish, but can still cause damage.(2)

Vinyl acetate binders, which may be found in conventional vinyl emulsion paints, can damage lungs, liver and blood, are skin irritants and possible carcinogens.(5) Vinyl binders also become statically charged and cause painted surfaces to attract dust, which can be a problem for allergy sufferers.(5)

In 1989, the World Health Organisation?s International Agency for Research on Cancer found that professional painters and decorators faced a 40% increased chance of contracting cancer, and went so far as to classify painting and decorating as a ?carcinogenic? activity by definition. In Denmark, ?Painter?s Dementia? or ?Solvent Dementia? is a recognised industrial disease caused by excessive exposure to solvents and other chemicals.(5) Although home DIY enthusiasts are clearly at less risk, the study nevertheless raises legitimate concerns about the use of toxic chemicals in the home.

According to Construction Resources, studies have shown that the indoor environment is now up to ten times more polluted than the external environment. The use of synthetic paints is said to contribute to Sick Building Syndrome.(5)

sanfairyann · 24/01/2010 21:45

sorry but pmsl at the idea of the 18 month old let loose with a tin of paint - am sure you would be careful really but the images in my head dd crept up behind me when I was painting and dh was supposed to be watching her. she stuck her whole arm in the tin of paint then screamed in horror, took it out, shook it so the pain flew all round the room, screamed some more, wiped it on the carpet. oooh was lovely

sanfairyann · 24/01/2010 21:46

you can buy non toxic paint btw

TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 24/01/2010 21:47

Sorry, from here. You need to scroll about a third of the way down.

MrsTriangle · 24/01/2010 21:53

Thanks TTTT - that's very useful.

sanfairyann - ouch!!!!

OP posts:
FromGirders · 24/01/2010 21:57

Safety Data Sheet

Says it can cause irritation to skin, eyes etc.

FromGirders · 24/01/2010 21:58

TTTT - what do you decorate your home with??

TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 24/01/2010 22:01

Errrrm, B&Q stuff I think. I don't think DS licks the walls though. I could be wrong, he was trying to eat his pants earlier.

I was only trying to help answer the question!

FromGirders · 24/01/2010 22:11

S'ok, I'm not getting at you, you just sounded rather scared of the stuff . It washes off with water after all!
(Disclaimer - so long as you get it before it's competely dry).

TimothyTigerTuppennyTail · 24/01/2010 22:13

I actually love painting - I find it really theraputic. Maybe it's the fumes!

BettySuarez · 24/01/2010 22:23

Well it could be argued that if the paint is too toxic for the little ones to be around, then what the feck are we all doing by allowing it to slapped on the walls.

Perhaps we are exposed to more fumes when the paint is still wet but I dont think that we should underestimate the potential danger that still exists when the paint is dry.

When you add that to the fumes we expose our children to from household cleaning products etc, I really dont see that wet paint is goinf to make too much difference.

They will love it

bruffin · 24/01/2010 22:33

My DS was only 2 when he helped us paint our dining room and he was as good as gold and was very sensible.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread