From the
Poison Control website:
- Latex or acrylic latex paints use water as the primary liquid, though solvents may be present too.
- Oil-based paints contain mineral oil as the primary liquid.
- Solvent-based paints may use any number of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) as the liquid. Common VOCs include toluene, xylene, ethanol, and acetone, among many others.
Other ingredients vary with the type of paint; for example, some paints may contain an ingredient to prevent mold.
Latex paint is used most often because it dries quickly and can be cleaned up with soap and water. Liquid latex paint can be mildly irritating to the skin and mouth. If swallowed, it can cause an upset stomach or even vomiting. Swallowing latex paint does not poison the body, though. Dry pieces of latex paint are not poisonous to swallow - but they can be a risk for choking.
Oil-based paints also can irritate the skin. They can cause stomach upset if swallowed. There is a bigger problem, though: if someone swallows oil-based paint, and chokes on it, paint can get into the lungs. Mineral oil in the lungs can cause trouble breathing and pneumonia. This isn't a common problem with paint, though; paint is thick and children rarely swallow much.
Even though fumes from latex and oil paints can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, they do not poison the body when used as directed. Any irritation should go away once you get into fresh air. If fresh air doesn't help, take a warm shower and wash your hair.
Solvent-based paints can be more irritating than latex or oil-based paints on the skin or if swallowed. But the biggest concern is with inhaling the fumes into the lungs. Breathing solvent paint fumes for too long can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
