Using Responibility and Safety
When using any paint product please be sure to use common sense. Many paints are flammable, and most paint are hazardous to both people and the environment. Some paints today may contain lead, isocyanate, chromates, solvents, and other chemicals. Usually an organic vapor cartridge will filter out these chemicals. Some professional painters may want to consider a positive pressure supplied air mask. However a half mask or a full face is generally enough protection for your lungs. Wear gloves when prepping with solvents or chemicals and do not wash your hands with lacquer thinner. Your skin is pourous and will absorb chemicals into your bloodstream as well as through your lungs and over long term abuse you can die from cancer. Other chemicals can attack your nervous system. When abused paint can in extreme case cause death or other terminal illnesses.
Three helpful industry links are http://www.sassafety.com/ http://microflex.com/ http://www.3m.com/occsafety
Interior latex enamel house paints generally do not have as many dangerous chemicals but chipping or sanding down paint on older houses may be a problem if it was painted with lead paint.
Sanding any paint can cause dust to get into and aggrivte your respitory system. The use of a dust mask will reduce problems. Some use a light mask to get rid of nuicance dust wile using an approved N95 mask will be more helpful for serious sanding and better protection.
Disposal
There are laws that govern the disposal of paint. County and parishes sometimes have a program to take unsafe products from consumers so they do not end up in a landfill. We have had positive expeinces with our service with Safety Kleen. Their sales representitive came osite and helped us fill out the required DEQ paperwork to do business with them. They had all the required paperwork with them and also was able to furnish us with all the waste codes nesecary. In some cases a gun cleaner and solvent recycler is very helpful and cost effective over the long haul. There are aquious and solvent born equipments so you can have a system to fit your needs.
Disposing aerosol spray cans: most aerosols can be punctured releiving all pressure and draining the can. While it isn't safe to do it with a hammer and nail there is commercial eqipment capable of doing it for you safely. Also there are services availabe with a drum pickup from Safety Kleen. The metal and solvents can both be recycled.
Overspray
Overspray is a problem that can be very costly to remove and can be easy to avoid. Painting near a parking lot can be very costly to you or your insurance company if using a spray system. Some spray guns may have a better paint transfer rate that reduces overspray. Pay attention to the wind direction. Some paints can be removed with a light solvent wipe, or graffitti remover. Some cases a high speed buffer can remove it. Serious cases can involve sanding and refinishing.