Buying an air purifier for paint fumes

Painting a room in your home is one of the most common activities performed by DIYers. It is fairly easy to do and may change the entire look of your space. However, paint contains certain components that emit chemical fumes into the air, morphing this seemingly harmless activity into one that has adverse effects on your health. What makes paint dangerous? Can an air purifier for paint fumes help? Read on to learn more.

What is paint?

The different types of paint

We may all be familiar with paint as a concept, but what about its composition? What, exactly, is it?

Paint is a substance in which pigments are dissolved into a liquid (solvent). Typically, paints are separated into two categories: water-based and oil-based.

Water-based paint

Also known as latex-based paints, water-based paints consist of pigments suspended in water. A plastic resin is often added to water-based paints to encourage better adhering to walls and other surfaces. These types of paints may rub off and are, thus, less ideal for high-traffic areas like shelves. Water-based paints are more popular because they tend to maintain their sheen for a longer period of time and better withstand the test of time, especially for exterior paint jobs. As a result, they are usually a bit more expensive than oil-based paints. Water-based paints have a less pungent paint smell and contain a lower concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on average, but unless you seek out a low- or no-VOC option, VOC concentrations will still be enough to require sufficient ventilation during their application¹.

Oil-based paint

Intuitively, oil-based paints are pigments suspended in oil. They are also referred to as alkyd-based paints. A bit less expensive than water-based paints, oil-based paints are more ideal for areas that experience heavy use (like window frames, bookshelves, etc.) as they form a hard shell when they dry and are less likely to rub off. Oil-based paints have a much more significant impact on indoor air quality as they contain high levels of VOCs, and they emit a pungent paint smell. It is recommended to continually ventilate a space for at least three days after applying oil-based paint¹.

Paint fumes’ impact on indoor air quality

Chemicals found in paint

Up until 1990, asbestos was used as a filler in paints. Nowadays, paints are, in general, much less toxic than they once were, but the organic solvents used to dissolve paint pigments still contain high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some commonly-used organic solvents include toluene, xylene, ketones, and alcohols². In certain countries, the use of benzene (a VOC and known carcinogen) and heavy metals like chromium and lead in paints has been reduced. The following hazardous compounds are still found in paints today:

• 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine in azo pigments
• Dichloromethane
• Free aromatic amines
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2)
• Carbon black
• Petroleum and coal-tar distillates
• Biocides (fungicides and preservatives)
• Diisocyanate
• Silica
• Anti-skinning agents
• Corrosion inhibitors
• Nanoparticles²

Health risks of VOC and chemical fume exposure

Exposure to paint fumes occurs by inhalation and via contact with the skin. Short-term side effects from inhalation and/or skin contact may include eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation; headache; dizziness or light-headedness; and nausea³.
Long-term exposure to paint fumes may impact multiple systems and organs of the body including the nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Professional painters have been shown to experience a higher incidence of lung cancer⁴, bladder cancer, and mesothelioma⁵.

Maternal exposure to paint and paint fumes during pregnancy has also been associated with childhood leukaemia⁶, congenital abnormalities⁷, and an increased risk of macrosomia (large birth weight)⁸.

In particularly sensitive individuals, paint fume exposure may trigger asthma attacks and/or allergies. A 2010 study on VOC levels in children’s bedrooms found that high concentrations of propylene glycol, a VOC often found in paint, increases the risk of developing and aggravating conditions like asthma, rhinitis, and eczema³.

Benefits of an air purifier for paint fumes

Air quality improvement

When painting indoors, poor air quality is a serious concern, especially if it is impossible to ventilate sufficiently. Toxic chemical pollutants like VOCs emitted into the air when painting pose a health risk to any and all users of the space, especially at-risk groups like pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Investing in a high-quality air purifier for paint fumes provides an excellent layer of protection against hazardous fumes. Some of the best air purification technologies for combatting chemical pollution like VOCs include activated carbon filters and photocatalysis (Eoleaf devices contain both as just two parts of their 8-step air purification method).

HEPA filters for removing the tiniest particles

An air purifier for paint fumes should contain multiple filtration technologies in order to remove the three main types of air pollution (fine particle pollution, chemical pollution, and biological pollution) and produce fresh air. High-end air purifiers that contain HEPA-certified filters will remove fine and nanoparticle pollution like PM10 and PM2.5 that may be generated from other air pollution sources, including other DIY projects.

Factors to consider when choosing an air purifier for paint fumes

Filtration technologies: HEPA + activated carbon filter

As mentioned above, two of the most essential technologies when choosing an air purifier for paint fumes include a HEPA-certified filter and an activated carbon filter.

HEPA-certified filters

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)-certified filters are considered to be the gold standard of air filtration. With their filtration capacity verified by a third party, the medical-grade HEPA H13-certified filters in Eoleaf air purifiers remove 99.97% of all air pollutant particles down to a size of 0.01 microns. This includes fine particles (particulate matter or PM) generated by road traffic, industrial activities, candle burning, wood and gas appliances, tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke, dust and dust mites, mould and spores, pollen, and pet hair and dander, to name a few. Do keep in mind that certain companies may claim that their devices offer ‘HEPA filtration’ or ‘HEPA-type filters’, but if you do not see the word ‘certified’, they have not been tested by a third party for efficiency.

Activated carbon filtration

Activated carbon filtration is another crucial air purification technology. It targets toxic gaseous pollutants and fumes (ozone, VOCs, carbon monoxide) and unpleasant odours of all kinds, including paint smells. A HEPA-certified filter alone will not remove chemical pollution, so it is important for an air purifier for paint fumes to contain these two complementary technologies.

Other technologies

Additional technologies like photocatalysis (another effective technology that combats VOCs generated by paint fumes), ionisation (efficient in removing fine particles), and UVC sterilisation (combats germs like bacteria and viruses) are helpful in further fighting all types of indoor air pollution. UVC sterilisation also helps sterilise your filter once it has captured air pollutants, protecting you from re-exposure if you continue to use a saturated filter and/or during filter changes. Eoleaf devices contain all of the above technologies and more, serving as one of the most advanced air purifiers for paint fumes on the market.

Noise level

An air purifier for paint fumes should certainly be efficient, but this is achievable without making too much noise that disturbs users of the space. Eoleaf air purifiers, for example, never exceed 60 dB of noise even when running at their fastest fan speed. Our devices are whisper-quiet at slower fan speeds, making them ideal for bedrooms, home offices, and patient rooms.

Sizing

When choosing an air purifier for paint fumes, be sure that it is properly sized to the space in which you plan to install it. Are you painting a smaller room? Eoleaf’s AEROPRO 40 filters the air in small rooms up to 40 m2. For larger rooms, the AEROPRO 150 would suit your needs better which filters the air in rooms up to 120 m2.

Sizing can be determined using two metrics: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and Air Changes per Hour (ACH).

CADR

CADR is an industry standard used to help consumers compare filtration efficiency between brands. It refers to the volume of filtered air capable of being produced by an air purifier and, thus, how efficiently it cleans the air in your space. The higher the CADR, the more efficient the device. Our AEROPRO 150, for example, our most powerful model, has an impressive CADR of 670 m3/h!

ACH

ACH refers to the amount of times that the air is replaced with purified air in a room in one hour. In rooms with high levels of air pollution, especially if there is a high concentration of paint fumes, an ACH rating of 4 or 5 is recommended in order for the air to be completely filtered. ACH is not a one-size-fits-all metric and should be calculated by air filtration experts. Our team can help you calculate ACH using the square footage of your room and your specific air filtration needs and goals.

Say goodbye to paint fumes with Eoleaf

Eoleaf air purifiers for paint fumes are here to accompany you during any and all of your DIY activities. Our devices provide some of the most advanced air purification technologies on the market, ensuring complete filtration of your indoor air. Contact a member of our team anytime, or refer to our in-depth Buying Guide for more information on how to choose the right air purifier for you.

Frequently asked questions

Given the higher humidity in the UK, can an air purifier get rid of paint odours as quickly?

Yes! As long as humidity indoors does not exceed 60%, a high-end air purifier is great for getting rid of paint odours. Ensure that an air purifier for paint fumes contains an activated carbon filter (the heavier, the better… ask your manufacturer for the activated carbon filter weight!). Activated carbon is highly efficient at combatting odours generated by any source, including paint fumes.

How much does it cost to run an air purifier for paint fumes in the UK?

An air purifier budget consists of three parts: 1) the initial cost of the device, 2) maintenance costs including filter changes, and 3) associated costs with energy usage of the device. Air purifiers for paint fumes vary significantly in both price and quality. For a high-quality device, expect to spend anywhere from £500-800. Some replacement filters are cheap, but this also means that they are likely low-quality. Eoleaf filters cost anywhere from £33-170 depending upon the model. Filters must be changed at least once per year for the AEROPRO 40, 100, and 150, and once every six months for the Pure CAR.

Resources

¹ The difference between water based and oil based paint. Paint World. (2022, May 9). https://www.paintworld.com.au/blogs/diy-area/difference-between-oil-based-water-based-paint

² IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Chemical Agents and Related Occupations. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2012. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 100F.) OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AS A PAINTER. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304433/

³ Seladi-Schulman, J. (2019, July 8). Impact of paint fumes on your health & how to minimize exposure. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/paint-fumes

⁴ Some organic solvents, resin monomers and related compounds, pigments and occupational exposures in paint manufacture and painting. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1989;47:1-442. PMID: 2636273; PMCID: PMC7681632.

⁵ IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Painting, firefighting, and shiftwork. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2010;98:9-764. PMID: 21381544; PMCID: PMC4781497.

⁶ Scélo G, Metayer C, Zhang L, Wiemels JL, Aldrich MC, Selvin S, Month S, Smith MT, Buffler PA. Household exposure to paint and petroleum solvents, chromosomal translocations, and the risk of childhood leukemia. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Jan;117(1):133-9. doi: 10.1289/ehp.11927. Epub 2008 Oct 10. PMID: 19165400; PMCID: PMC2627857.

⁷ Hjortebjerg D, Andersen AM, Garne E, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Sørensen M. Non-occupational exposure to paint fumes during pregnancy and risk of congenital anomalies: a cohort study. Environ Health. 2012 Aug 14;11:54. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-11-54. PMID: 22892023; PMCID: PMC3533823.

⁸ Liu H, Chen S, Zhu H, Yang H, Gong F, Wang L, Jiang Y, Lian BQ, Yan C, Li J, Wang Q, Zhang S, Pan H. Correlation between preconception maternal non-occupational exposure to interior decoration or oil paint odour and average birth weight of neonates: findings from a nationwide cohort study in China's rural areas. BMJ Open. 2017 Aug 21;7(8):e013700. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013700. PMID: 28827230; PMCID: PMC5577901.