redecorating dangers?

jenbal

One of the outcomes of my past year's dance with cancer has been that my husband and I have decided to accelerate our downsizing plans, so we are planning to move out of our big house this summer and into a smaller house we've owned as a rental. Both will need some basic fix-up: painting, new carpet, some drywall, etc. Anyone have any solid information about any dangers of exposure to chemicals in these items? Is there some specified period of time after which they are no longer toxic (if they are, in fact, toxic)? I doubt a few weeks' exposure would do me much harm, but I'm trying to limit my overall exposure to carcinogens as much as possible. Any advice would be most welcome.

Claire_in_Seattle

Dear Jenbal,

I think these are very specific by building material, so wouldn't even start to answer your question.

The bigger one I have is fitting the contents of a larger house into a much smaller one.  So I would focus there.  The less stuff you have, the less to move.

Can you work with windows open to limit exposure?

Good luck.  I see this as a major liberating experience.  Just make sure you plan all the great stuff for yourself in the downsize (kitchen, storage, closet space.....less stuff to store too) and you will be soooo glad you took the plunge. - Claire

barbe1958

You can get low VOC paint for starters. But your exposure will be short term, so it shouldn't make an impact. Try to run an air cleaner with a HEPA filter for the drywall dust. Let new carpet "gas off" before you move in. Gee I had more info than I knew I did!