They are painting at work- how long will fumes/smell last?

[Starlight32]

At work, my floor's conference room is being painted. The conference room is made up of 4 fake walls/partitions and is in the middle of the floor. My work area is two short halls away from the conference room door, but I work very closely to one of the fake walls. Our floor has almost no ventilation, and there is no way to open the windows.

They are painting the room Monday & Tuesday. How long to you think I should wait to return back to the floor for work after painting is complete? How long does the paint smell last, and do you think I will be able to smell it from the work area after the paint is dried?

I haven't painted in a long time, so I can't remember how far paint fumes travel or how long they last in an unventilated area. I don't know what kind of paint they are using, except that it is Sherman Williams.

 

[pinkpassion]

I think I already responded on your other post. The smell isn't the problem (to baby anyway, it could still cause you a headache or to feel ill but it won't be "harmful") The fumes of fresh paint are what's concerning. As long as you aren't there the days they are actively painting it should be ok, or to be safe you could wait 1-2 days. The smell of paint could linger a week or so but it really isn't harmful. Do what you are comfortable with! If you feel you shouldn't be around it for a week then don't. For what it is worth I have painted tons in this pregnancy and my dd's and they are both fine. I painted rooms, furniture, used spray paint and also used varnish and oil based enamel which they say are the worst. I just stayed well ventilated! After the paint was dry it's no longer harmful, just a little smelly!

 

[Starlight32]

Thanks! I'm concerned because there is no ventilation and no windows to open.. where will all the fumes go besides the rest of the floor? It's comforting to hear that paint is only a problem when wet/drying. I think any residual smell will really bother me though! I can't imagine being at work all day smelling paint. I won't actually be in the room they are painting though. I'm just not sure how bad it will be on the rest of the floor.