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Does Paint Fumes Cause Anxiety?

Posted on Wed, 12 Nov 2014

Question: i work in the office of an autobody shop. we have two now and i worked for a year in one that had the paint room next to the office so i had that paint smell in the office all the time and for 10 months we slept in a room in that office. could the smell of the paint cause anxiety? since july we bought a motorhome and are living in it now and i have been working at the other body shop office for about a year now and the paint room is clear back in the shop area. i can still smell it at times but its not near as bad.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clarifications

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.

I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.

However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way.

1. Can you smell it through out the day or only at night?
2. Do other people staying with you also smell the same?
3. How far is the pain area?
Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Regards and wish you good health,

Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (1 hour later)

the office i was working in is just 5 feet from office and my husband and his brother our manager no longer have a sense of smell so they dont notice it. it wasnt as bad at night and the room we stayed in was around 10 feet from the paint room and we always lefy the room that we slept in the door was always shut. the office im in now is farther away but on the other side of the wall and i can still smell it every once in awhile and people that walk in notice it first thing.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Its still possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for all the additional information.
Please try to understand that the sensitivity to smell varies from person to person. Its always possible that you have a sensitive nose and can smell things easily. YOur other workmates have got adapted to the smell and do not tend to notice it if its is not that severe.The new person who walks in is again sensitive and hence realizes the smell.
There is nothing to worry about. It perfectly fine. Its good that you have shifted to a motorhouse so that the exposure is reduced. Always wear nose filters and other protective gears while you are working with the pains and they can be harmful to your health. They may not cause the anxity but other respiratory problems can occur.
Hope this helps,
If you have any add on query, do let me know.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E