Make-up air vents are located about 2 feet . the room through the make-up air vents passes over the work bench and mixes with . | Breathing Easy. Ensuring Proper Ventilation of Paint Mixing Rooms In Auto Refinish Shops This fact sheet describes ways shop own- The Auto Refinish Project ers can improve ventilation in paint mixing uto refinishers use many potentially and cleanup rooms and discusses other steps harmful chemicals when painting to better protect workers during paint mixing vehicles and auto parts. In particular, A operations. shops use solvents, isocyanates, pigments, and other additives in paints and coatings that can present serious risks to human Ventilation Systems— health and the environment. Isocyanates, for example, are the leading cause of occupa- The Basics tional asthma in the United States. ithout proper ventilation, paint To help protect auto refinish workers and mixing and cleanup rooms can be neighborhoods from these hazardous chemi- Wunhealthy. Paints, solvents, and cals, the . Environmental Protection reducers all generate hazardous vapors that Agency (EPA) launched the Auto Refinish can build up and remain in a room. Design for the Project, part of EPA‘s Design for the Ventilation systems are needed to remove Environment Environment (DfE) Program. Through this these vapors and provide a healthy working project, EPA has formed partnerships with environment. Auto Refinish Project There are two basic types of ventila- In its Auto Refinish Project, Philadelphia-area auto refinish shops to deter- . EPA’s Design for the mine which tasks pose the greatest health tion–general exhaust ventilation and local Environment (DfE) Program threats and which procedures and equipment exhaust ventilation. works with auto refinishers to protect workers best. In many cases, these General exhaust ventilation systems identify and encourage safer, typically consist of an exhaust fan, mounted cleaner, and more efficient procedures and equipment also increase shop practices and technologies. efficiency and help save money on shop in the ceiling or .
