What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers.

(courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

If Not Properly Used, Paint Strippers Are Hazardous to Your Health and Safety

Paint strippers contain chemicals that loosen paint from surfaces. These chemicals can harm you if not used properly. Some paint stripping chemicals can irritate the skin and eyes, or cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Some may cause cancer, reproductive problems, or damage of the liver, kidney, or brain. Others catch fire easily. Proper handling and use of paint strippers will reduce your exposure to these chemicals and lessen your health risk.

• General Safety Precautions from EPA/CPSC
• Types of Paint Strippers

For more information on indoor air quality, contact:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
800-438-4318

OR

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
800-638-2772

This document may be reproduced without charge, in whole or in part, without permission, except for uses that imply that EPA or CPSC considers one type of paint stripper to be better or worse than another.