Will painting the house harm my snakes?

[Sethu]

My house is getting painted, there will be no painting in the actual snake room but it will be happening in the hall right outside. Should I just open the window and put a towel under the door? I just don't want anything to happen.
Thanks.

 

[The Snark]

Unlikely as reptiles respirate much more slowly than humans. The window and towel sounds like a good idea but it also depends on the paint. Petrochemical solvent paints should be avoided by all animals as a general rule. Acrylic alkyds (water based) release ammonia in small amounts. It is extremely unlikely hazardous fumes would leak into a closed ventilated room in sufficient quantities to do harm. If in doubt, check the paint. Find out what the solvent is and look it up as to how many parts per million are considered toxic according to the MSDS on that chemical. If you get a very low number, take extra precautions like taping the door perimeter.

PS It is always a good idea to check the MSDS on any questionable chemical introduced into a house with animals. Some animals are hypersensitive to certain chemicals that are relatively harmless to humans.

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

People like me are "hypersensitive to certain chemicals."

The "Low VOC" or,better,"NO VOC" paints that we do tolerate are generally much safer for animals than those that are supposedly "relatively harmless to humans-" they're not so safe.