How long volatile organic compounds (VOCs) last after painting primarily depends on which type of paint you used. Oil-based solvent-based paints are drastically different from the best zero-VOC water-based paint.
It also depends on your humidity, temperature, and ventilation.
We lack independent studies looking at the off-gassing of each main paint type but we do have exact data from specific paint companies.
If you have already painted and are trying to determine if it’s still off-gassing you must find out what kind of paint it is and then see if you can find the brand and sub-line. If you don’t have the brand name you can compare it to a major brand to get an idea.
Remember that paint has improved significantly in the last few years, almost all brands have zero-VOC and ultra-low VOC lines. This is no longer a specialty product. So past reports on how long it took paint to off-gas are no longer accurate as they were based on higher VOC products.
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Which VOCs Off-gas from Paint
Commercially available water-based emulsion paints were tested using the European standard test method. In total, 23 individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected and quantified.
The seven major VOCs were 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene, followed by 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, n-hexane, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, propylbenzene, o-xylene and toluene (source).
Keep in mind that there are 37 exempt VOCs – VOCs that could be in paint but are not counted in their VOC rating. These include ammonia, acetone, and butyl acetate, which are commonly used in consumer paints, says Andy Pace.
Type of Paint Affects Off-gassing of VOCS
Remember that there is a huge difference in VOCs between different types of paints.
- Oil-based paints – which are not used as often now, still are sometimes used on trim and doors, and occasionally as a primer. This is the highest off-gassing paint and the slowest to off-gas. VOCs start in the hundreds of grams per liter.
- Spray paints – spray paints are also usually solvent-based. Spray paints come in between 400-600 g/l VOCs.
- Water-based alkyd paints – these are the newer replacements for oil-based paints that are often used on doors and trim. They are much lower VOC than oil-based paints and can be relatively fast to off-gas. They are higher VOC than many wall paints. VOCs are around or under 50 g/l.
- Low-VOC wall paint – while I would always aim for 0-VOC wall paints, low-VOC wall paints are still used and come in as high as 50 g/l VOC.
- Zero-VOC wall paint – this is my preferred type of wall paint. You will need to ask the company at how many hours or days is it 0-VOC (and I have some of that data below).
- Primers – while some companies like ECOS Paints makes 0-VOC primers, typically, water-based primers are higher in VOCs than paint and might come in around 50 g/l or less.
When is the Majority of the Off-gassing Complete
In one study that looks at interior water-based and oil-based paints they found that extended emission tests showed that most VOC and intermediate VOC emissions occur within 12–24 hours after the paint application, though some paints continue to emit intermediate VOCs for 48 hours or more (source).
Individual Paint Brands and Off-gassing Times
You can get specifics of general information on how long a paint takes to off-gas by asking the manufacturer.
They may provide the official day that the paint has tested 0-VOC or they may provide you with the cure time (which is not exactly the same as the time it needs to off-gas but it gives you some framework.
Paint companies tend to conflate cure times with off-gassing time which can make their estimates overly generous), or the time that they say it’s safe to re-enter the room (which is also not necessarily when it has reached 0-VOC status).
ECOS Paints – officially the VOC testing was done at 11 days (per the CDPH 01350 test methodology), and that is when the zero-VOC measurement was taken.
Kiem Mineral Wall Paint – because this paint uses mostly benign mineral binders it off-gasses very fast (faster than an acrylic 0-VOC paint). There is no off-gassing after the paint has dried – in approximately 2 hours at 77 degrees and 50% relative humidity, explains Roy Suttles a rep for the company.
Benjamin Moore – “After seven days, off-gassing is reduced to a minimal or acceptable level according to the California Department of Public Health, which both Eco Spec and Ben (0-VOC lines) are tested against” says rep David Underwood, Associate Technical Project Manager at Benjamin Moore.
As for Ben Moore Advance (a water-based alkyd), a rep for Benjamin Moore said on the phone that Advance takes 2-3 weeks for a full cure and to finish off-gassing.
It also says on the website that depending on the temperature and humidity, it could take up to 30 days to reach optimum hardness and final sheen.
Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Interior Water-Based Acrylic-Alkyd – this is another water-based alkyd paint. This comes in at 14 g/l VOC. Give it 2-4 weeks for a full cure, which is when it’s off-gassed, they say on the phone.
Farrow and Ball – Farrow and Ball Estate Emulsion is a non-acrylic paint, which uses a VAE (vinyl acetate ethylene) binder instead. The VOCs when wet are only 4 g/l and at 28 days the emissions are 47 µg/m3.
Rust-Oleum – Rust-Oleum has said that that Universal line which includes Spray Matte, Metallic, and Stops Rust Protective Enamel (which is the same as the Premium Metal Protection I tested in Silver) all take 7-10 days to cure. However, off-gassing can continue at detectable levels for 4-5 weeks or more for these solvent-based spray paints.
Recommendations on Ventilation
The Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County Maryland, recommends ventilation after applying latex paint at least 48 hours and preferably for 72 hours (source).
Humidity and temperature also affect off-gassing times. Be sure you are within the range that the company specifies. And after painting, to speed up off-gassing, ideally keep humidity low and temperature up while maintaining ventilation.
Experiences of the Chemically Sensitive
Even though paint off-gasses the majority, or even vast majority, of its VOCs in the first three days, and even after a paint has officially hit its cure time, there can still be off-gassing of unreacted monomers which the chemically sensitive can react to (source).
The most extremely chemically sensitive folks who I have worked with over the last 10 years have sometimes needed to give ECOS Paint 2 weeks to off-gas, other zero-VOC brands up to 4 weeks (and sometimes months), low-VOC water-based paint many months (or even longer for older formulas), and oil-based (solvent-based) paint can cause reactions for years.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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Alex
A week ago, my property manager painted a wall in my office with exterior paint (Premium Plus Exterior Satin Enamel No. 9050) because it was the only one he had available that matched the color. Now I’m concerned about toxic chemicals off gassing since it’s exterior paint. Is it safe to be in the room for extended periods of time without ventilation?
Here is the safety sheet: https://www.3eonline.com/ImageServer/ImageViewer.aspx?id=m3y9I1i2SixkksCPGB1PveWaDpQl3JvNPLMD8Gd9ExjB5KWf2xCTn6bktdXDojPy8pcG7%2bzUdrWMxwI100EkO9EId37rGzB%2fB%2fmM%2bvCFcy3WT5jHbYuYjOS7bnkvRxT60CK%2bZ39BpTZ00kgpQqGMJ3WVF1XNGcCL0elPJeyklUv9y1G4zGDAC%2bfnuhwbSz72U6pIC4Su4a55wXHeCiDVOQ%3d%3d
Dee
I’m thinking of spray painting a mirror frame outside and then letting it off-gas in the garage for 5 weeks. Will it truly be completely done off-gassing after this time?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Not necessarily. See the article on spray paint. But if you’re not chemically sensitive, it should be just fine.
Nell
I am very chemical sensitive and allergic to pretty much everything. We have kitchen cabinets that need painting. I know that I need to use something tough in this area, that can stand up to a lot of wiping, bumps and scrapes. What paint would you recommend. I am hesitant to use anything but am tired of looking at the messy cabinets. (They have a clear finish on them now.) Also, is there something that would have primer in it that would be safe and stand up to the usual kitchen abuse or a safe separate primer? It’s reached the point where I am afraid to do anything. We live in an area where there is such a short time where you can actually open windows because of the excess humidity/heat/cold. Any help appreciated!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
there is an article on kitchen cabinet paint
Nell
Found it. Thanks so much. I see there is a lot to read on this site. Can’t wait to get started. Thanks for the help!
Alice
In Your experience, can external paint affect a chemically sensitive person? If it’s being used outside can it still get indoors? In other words, when is it safe to re-enter a home after using external low VOC paint?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes some comes indoors, whether it’s enough to bother you depends on how sensitive you are
Alice
How does it Enter the home? I’m extremely sensitive and we are having our eaves painted. How long would you suggest leaving the home for? We have a brick home with Tile roof
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
There are lots of places in a home that are not airtight. If you have ever had something extreme like really bad forrest fires you will smell where things come in. How long to leave ranges from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the person and the paint.
Annie
Hi! We had a dishwasher leak and now all the floors and cabinets have to be put back in and redone. I am very sensitive to smells and have a kid with asthma and one with autoimmune diseases. I am wondering if there is a cabinet paint with no or low Voc that painter can use as a spray. He says it will peel… Also, any input on engineered hardwood company, floors have to be redone too….
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
see the article on cabinet paints and the article on engineered flooring
DeeAnn
Debating on Benjamin Moore Aura China White or BM Ecospec China White. While Ecospec seems the way to go, it appears to have addtl non listed ingredients like Carbamic Acid, Butyl-, 3-Iodo-2-Propynyl Ester which actually kills aquatic life. Min d you this is no VOC. It also appears that Ecospec has a higher concentration of Isothiazolinone derivatives than Aura which is considered low VOC. Base on your knowledge what would your choice be? This is a long narrow closet. Will keep it open, use a fan, and open windows during the day provided I can get the house temperature to remain at 65. Thank you for your input.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I have an article just on Ben Moore paints that compares them. But where did you get the information that EcoSpec has more isothiazolinones and it has IPBC?
DeeAnn
From Benjamin Moore technical PM.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
but where bc the Ecospec paint SDS 2025 says This product contains isothiazolinone compounds at levels of <0.1%, no mention of IPBC there or the TDS
Aura regular interior wall paint SDS sheet, latest one on the site says This product contains isothiazolinone compounds at levels of <0.1%
DeeAnn
With serious sensitivities I learned a long time ago not to rely on just an SDS or TDS. I keep calling until I get someone who is in product or their tech department and move my way up the ladder to truly find out what is not in print. There are also other ingredients in Ecospec not listed. You can use AI and it will spit back a list. Finally even though the isothiazolinone compounds are only at levels of <0.1%, if you are excessively sensitive the .1% is enough to trigger someone like me. The only information I could not get and my doctor at Mayo could not get is additional ingredients in BM Aura.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
The SDS and TDS are almost always incomplete but extremely rarely have actual inaccurate information, from Ben Moore that would not be likely at all. AI does not give accurate information on the ingredients in these paints.
Jude Graf
Hi!
Do you happen to know the expected VOC emission for this paint ? Just moved into new APT and they painted 3 weeks ago.
Semi-gloss, Sherwin williams, Property solution, Interior latex, White
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/products/property-solution-interior-latex
i think it was this one ^
I still smell something and my lungs are tight. Had trouble sleeping last night. Could be overreacting but i have had an history of being chemically sensitive. Any suggestions here would be great.
Thank you.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
what are the initial VOC levels listed by the company
Jude Graf
I am not sure where to find that. I looked on the website and didn’t see it. Here is what chat gpt says though
Paint Line VOC Content Features
*Property Solution Latex ≤50 g/L Low-VOC, affordable, durable
Jude Graf
Please let me know what you think (: thank you!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Those are not the VOC levels that is just the upper limit
Elisa
Hi, a water based linseed oil paint was used in the (only) bedroom and I wasn’t aware that there is such a thing as offgassing water based paints.
After the first coat the odor seems to get stronger and stronger and being xx chemically sensitive I’m wondering how long I have to endure this.
Is it known how long a water based linseed oil paint will offgass for?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
which paint?
Torri
Is there something I can do to stop the off gassing? Does applying ECOS paint over an oil based paint stop it?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
if you have oil paint that is offgassing, see the articles on VOC blocking paints. No ECOS cannot go over oil based paint you need a special primer to transition
Brooke
Hi Corinne!
Is there a home air test for VOCs and Formaldehyde that you recommend?
Do you recommend indoor plants to help with VOCs and Formaldehyde?
Thanks so much!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
these are the best https://www.thegreendesigncenter.com/product/home-air-check-iaq-testing-systems/?ref=4122
plants don’t make any real dent
Brooke
Thank you!!!
Stacy Martin Holmes
Hello- I am chemically sensitive and am trying to clarify. So is ECOS the best way to go or would Kiem since it off gasses at 2 hours after applying? Or in your experience with chemically sensitive folks- this was in the category of the zero VC and could take anywhere from four weeks to months? Thanks so much
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
ECOS has actual testing but the full offgas is in 11 days. Kiem is way lower in initial fumes but I don’t believe that 2 hours is based on testing. You should get samples of both and consider how long you will be out of the area or home.
sharon
Hi
Is there away to seal vocs in upholstery. It is a nightmare in the UK to buy anything VOC free. Also for carpets I have searched for AFM safeguard products also argh what is wrong with uk?
Thank you very much for you help
Sharon
Corinne Segura
The AFM Carpet seal (3 part) system works on fabric upholstered items as well. I believe you can ship to the UK from the green design center. Certain faux leather couches mentioned in the sofa post are another option.
Charlotte
Hello. We used the afm caulk and the air quality monitor in our baby’s room spiked to 7000 ppb and has stayed elevated (around 2000ppb). Voc reading is usually very low in her room. Do you know anything about why that might be? The caulk has no smell at all. Thanks so much
Corinne Segura
what is the baseline there and what other products were used? also those at home monitors dont tent to be very accurate. Hoever there is some offgassing from AFM Caulking Compound, you can see the article and video on caulking.
Charlotte
Thanks, Corinne. Daily average baseline is less than 200ppb. Sometimes I feel like the monitor causes more anxiety, thanks for the reminder that it’s not always accurate.
We provided the afm caulk to a radon remediation company to seal up our basement. That was the only product used. The nursery and air monitor are two floors above. Noticeable huge spike when he started sealing. That was Tuesday and it’s still elevated above 1000ppb on Friday. It’s freezing or else I would open up all windows!
Corinne Segura
should be fine at one week’s time, if not there was something else used during the radon mitgation or the monitor is picking up something else (possibly erroneously)
Beckie
I have been in construction and construction management for 20+ years and this sounds lime a bait and switch… most folks assume we are still living in the USA of the 60s and 70s where most folks wouldn’t dare lie to a customer for financial gain … now it’s considered “normal” among many contractors…
Next time hire a construction manager consultant to oversee the job they can verify materials used and also if the specific caulk to be used or not is not specified in the contract, you might get the cheapest caulk they can find …
I supervised a skylight replacement on a clients condo three 3-4ft wide by 10-30 fr long pieces … these had to be lifted into place by a crane … I specified the way the flashing would be installed and a specific caulk to be used ONLY … at three stories up they didnt think i would climb the ladder to look …they looked nervous when i started climbing up lol
All the specifics in the contract were NOT followed … they said they had to go to home depot and get a different sealant than the one specified in the contract… they said they would have to drive 60 miles back to the warehouse north of Dallas to get the specified sealant …. I gave them the choice…. Stop work and give up the contract or make the drive … they made the drive … ( also thw flashing was not sone as specified so they had to rebuild to spec in the contract … they werent happy but my client was. !
As a result… my client has the only properly installed skylights in the million dollar plus complex … when the drains clog up on the flat roof during torrential rains all other skylights will flood the spaces below …
Sarah
Loved the BM Aura, but then they changed the formula and I was skittish to try it so went with the Ben line. It was awful. Truly horrible odor and it lingered for several weeks. Tried the new Aura formulation and it was fine. And I am extraordinarily sensitive to VOC’s.