Post by JohnOur house exterior is being painted with Sherwin Williams latex exterior
paint. Our painters insist on dumping their paint rinsing water etc. on
the ground. I've heard this is not good for the environment and I don't
want to create a toxic waste site in my yard. They say it is ok because
it is Latex, not Oil paint. Pouring it down my drain would be
equivalent, because of the septic system leach field.
Who's right?
Your local health department can direct you to latex waste water
disposal regulations for your area, it's then up to you if you want to
exceed them.
That said:
The biggest toxicity issue with latex paint is that older (pre 1993)
paints sometimes contained mercury based anti-fungal compounds, these
are not present in modern paints (though some other compounds of
possible concern still are).
The most common recommend disposal technique for latex paint is to dry
it, then dispose of it as solid waste, accelerating the process with
an absorbent such as kitty litter if desired.
In many places latex paint "wastewater" from washing tools is
considered non-toxic enough so that it can be disposed of public
sanitary sewerage system, for example
http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/business/wastedirectory/wastedetails.cfm?wasteid=268
but it's prohibited to introduce it directly into a septic systems
because the result can be floating "clots" of waste material, for
example:
http://www.co.dallas.ia.us/envhealth/forms/GENERAL_OPERATIONAL_TIPS.pdf
I've never seen any discussion of latex wastewater disposal on the
surface of the ground above a septic field, you might ask Sherwin
Williams directly (1-800-474-3794) if they have an opinion on this.
If you do, I'd appreciate it if you would post what you learn,
including references to any MDDS / Datasheets or other documentaion of
their position.
Thanks
Michael Thomas
Paragon Home Inspection, LLC
Chicago, IL
mdtATparagoninspectsDOTcom
eight47-475-5668