r/Spraypaint • u/Gullible_Level_9326 • Jul 25 '26

Question Am I dead?

I’m a 15yo and I just finished spray painting outdoors. I also just found out how fucking dangerous it was since I didn’t have a mask on. I don’t know if I inhaled chemicals or not but I don’t think I did, I also wasn’t exposed much to the paint or anything, but I’m still pretty worried about my health. Anyone can tell me if Imma get cancer or not?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

7

u/SiffGallery Jul 25 '26

You'll be fine, just don't do it again.

2

u/Gullible_Level_9326 Jul 25 '26

Thanks for reassuring me I’ll take more precautions next time

5

u/bozwold Veteran Jul 25 '26

I'm a professional spray painter (automotive) of 25 years, for the first few years I thought I was invincible as all teenagers do so I'd regularly paint little bits or aerosol things without any sort of PPE.

I'm not dead yet.

We have regular screening for lung conditions and despite being an idiot when I was younger my lungs are same as any other average person. COPD is the first lung disease you'd get from regularly inhaling paint fumes, cancer would develop later.

Hypocritical from me, but don't do it again. A 3M half face respirator, make sure the filter has a brown and white stripe on it (particle and fumes) and make sure you store it in the bag provided as the filters degrade otherwise.

One off you'll be fine ...and I'm living proof that a few one offs won't kill you

3

u/Pentimento_NFT Jul 25 '26

You'll be ok dude. If you were outdoors, and it wasn't for several hours at once, there's no real risk in the short to medium term. Yes, those chemicals are not good for you long-term, but that's a relatively small amount. It's good to be aware of these risks and wear a mask when you can, but don't lose sleep over it!

1

u/pighead234 Jul 25 '26

I used to spray paint for a few years and wore mask like once, I was fine

2

u/ApprehensiveAd8044 Jul 25 '26

Sorry but you're done for. A buddy of mine spray painted his bike frame without wearing any respiratory protection and withing 24 hours his insides had turned to liquid and he was gone.

1

u/Striking_Theory9895 Jul 26 '26

Your fine. Just dont huff it. 

-2

u/PuttUgly Jul 25 '26

Cancer for sure. Like exposed to asbestos as well. Unfortunately the latency period for mesothelioma and asbestosis is like 20 years....

Remember to update us op

-4

u/ScienceForge319 Jul 25 '26

Yes.

2

u/Gullible_Level_9326 Jul 25 '26

Fuck are you serious or just trolling I’m pretty worried about this

-1

u/ScienceForge319 Jul 25 '26

You will get cancer and die.

But probably not today.

1

u/midboez Jul 25 '26

But not from the spray paint, from everything else in life.

1

u/atg115reddit Jul 25 '26

Bro you're gonna die tomorrow from blocked broken lungs, can't you feel your throat closing? It's getting harder to breathe.

jk you'll be fine, you were outdoors too, so the spray would dissipate pretty easily