From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-05-03 14:35:45 UTC
Subject: RE: paint odor
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2520313.1115130945495.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
The problem with some paints are not the odors so much as that some types out-gas a number of types of hydrocarbons (as do a number of the things used in clean-up such as white gasoline and turpentine), and breathing those is not a good thing, so what anyone who is painting is seeking is three fold:
1. which type of paint has lowered hydrocarbon release
2. for any given type of paint which has the out=gassing stop most rapidly
3. which are the optimal venting procedures
All are good questions to ask in a hardware store or to call paint companies to ask about the fumes.
I think I'd ask first about that already mentioned paint type, but if it is not optimal I'd ask if anything is lower. If memory serves years ago a friend whose child has a breathing problem was told to use a specific type made in some designer's name (Ralph Lauren maybe) due to a rapid end to hydrocarbon out-gassing but I don't know if that company makes the same type any longer.
For venting without having to worry about ferret escapes if the screen is at risk of being pushed out, is damaged, or is plastic rather than metal look for another thing in the hardware store if your windows open up and down and can't be moved by a ferret (or gravity for an upper openning). There are sliding expandable window inserts which you hold in place with the window itself. Some have good metal sreening, and some have metal in the center with narrow opennings that have flaps over them and a screen on one side which are designed to let a window be open during a rain storm. Either can help keep a ferret in a room while permitting the window to be open if there is not already a safe way to do so.