This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing or breathing in (sniffing) products to remove paint, lacquer, or varnish.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Pain, lacquer, and varnish removers may contain the following poisonous ingredients:

• Benzyl alcohol
• Ethanol
• Formic acid
• Methyl alcohol
• Methylene hydrochloride
• Naphtha
• Xylene

Paint, lacquer, and varnish removers are sold under various brand names.

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Paints Symptoms

Review Date: 02/01/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)