Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane, or DCM): Methylene chloride is the most commonly used chemical in paint strippers. Methylene chloride products come in two varieties. One type is nonflammable, while the other type is flammable. The flammable paint strippers have less methylene chloride but have other flammable chemicals, including acetone, toluene, or methanol.

Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consider the chemical to be a potential cause of cancer in humans. Methylene chloride evaporates quickly, and you can inhale it easily. Breathing high levels of methylene chloride over short periods can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and lungs. It can also cause dizziness, headache, and lack of coordination. Your body changes some inhaled methylene chloride to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This can cause problems for people with heart, lung, or blood diseases who use methylene chloride paint strippers indoors without fresh air cross-ventilation. High exposures to methylene chloride for long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage.

• It is very important to reduce your exposure to methylene chloride vapors.
• It is very important to have a lot of fresh air when using methylene chloride products.
• Use methylene chloride paint strippers outdoors if possible. If you must use them indoors, open all doors and windows to ensure that the fresh air is moving in and out of the room.
• For indoor use of nonflammable methylene chloride strippers, also use a fan to keep fresh air moving throughout the work area. Electrical sparks from fans may increase the chance of flammable paint strippers fumes to catch fire.
• The safest place to use flammable methylene chloride strippers is outdoors away from any source of sparks, flame, or high heat.

Acetone, toluene, and methanol: These chemicals are commonly used together. All three chemicals evaporate quickly and are very flammable. Breathing high levels of these chemicals can cause a variety of effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Breathing high levels of toluene may harm unborn children. Breathing very high levels for a long period may cause brain damage. Toluene and methanol are poisonous if swallowed.

• To avoid fire and health problems, it is very important to use products containing these chemicals only in areas with plenty of fresh air.
• Do not work near an open flame, pilot lights, or electrical sparks when using flammable paint strippers. Do not use strippers near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or other electric hand tools.

N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP): Excessive contact with NMP may cause skin swelling, blistering, and burns. These skin reactions may not appear until some time after exposure. N-methylpyrrolidone can readily get into the body through the skin and may cause health problems. NMP may cause reproductive problems and harm to unborn children.

• It is very important to wear chemical-resistant gloves and avoid skin contact when using this solvent.
• Wash hands immediately after use, even when wearing gloves.
• Gloves should fit properly and be chemical-resistant. Common kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection.
• Avoid using this product for extended periods in an enclosed area without open doors or windows to the outside for cross-ventilation.

Dibasic esters (DBE), including dimethyl adipate ester, dimethyl succinate ester, and dimethyl glutarate ester: Much less is known about the possible health effects of these chemicals than about most of the other paint stripping chemicals. Some people using DBE products without fresh air have reported temporary blurred vision. Repeatedly breathing DBE damages the cells lining the nose of laboratory animals. Some strippers include a mixture of DBE products and NMP.

• Avoid using this product for extended periods in an enclosed area without open doors or windows to the outside for cross-ventilation.
• Use appropriate protective clothing and provide fresh air to the work site when using these products.

Caustic-Based Strippers (Not Flammable)
Caustic alkalis: Caustic alkalis react with the paint coating and loosen it from the surface. One of the chemicals in this type of stripper is sodium hydroxide (lye). Some people do not use caustic alkalis because caustic products can darken wood and raise the grain. Caustics can cause severe burns to skin and eyes even on short contact. Therefore, be very careful to keep caustic chemicals away from skin and eyes and wear protective clothing. If contact occurs, wash off immediately with cold water. Caustics are also highly toxic if swallowed.

• It is very important to avoid skin and eye contact when using caustic alkalis.
• Use gloves that fit properly and are appropriate for caustic alkalis.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and goggles when using caustic alkalis.

Other Types of Paint Strippers
Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make "environmentally friendly" claims. However, these paint strippers may be hazardous despite the smell and environmental claims.

• It is important to use appropriate protective clothing and fresh air for cross-ventilation when using these products.