My husband just finished spraying our wooden fence with a sealer, but he didn't wear a mask while doing it. Should I be worried about his health?
3 Answers
I wouldn't panic. My grandfather was a painter for over 50 years with basically no protection back then, and he lived until 84! Just keep in mind that while your husband might be fine now, consistent exposure to these chemicals can lead to serious issues down the road. It’s all about the long-term exposure rather than just one time being outside.
It’s definitely not ideal, but he'll likely be fine. The two main risks with sprays are particulates and fumes. Particulates can get stuck in the lungs, while fumes can be more serious, leading to things like cancer over time. The good news is he was outside, so that helps. But next time, make sure he wears a mask! A lighter mask for dust is okay, but for fumes, he’ll need something heavier. The product label should specify what type of mask is best.
Thanks for breaking that down! I’ll be sure to get him a 3M respirator for future projects.
I think he should be okay this time. The main concern with these kinds of chemicals is usually from repeated exposure, not just one time. It's kind of like the difference between smoking a cigarette once versus every day. Just keep an eye on it though!
He used Olympic brand for the stain, if that matters.
I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sounds like he was a tough guy!