Offer to paint your neighbor's doghouse. And next time, buy only the amount you need. Oil-based paints that cannot be used up and any amount of paint suspected of containing lead should be disposed of at a household hazardous waste facility. Thinners and Strippers Thinners and strippers contain almost 100 percent solvents. Solvents are liquid chemicals used to dissolve or thin oil-based paint, clean brushes, dilute varnishes, or clean up after painting.
All solvents are poisonous if ingested.
Serious health problems can also result from inhalation and absorption through the skin. These include a narcotic effect on the nervous system, irritation of eyes, nose, and throat, damage to internal organs, and nerve damage. The most hazardous classes of solvents are the aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and methylene chloride. Methylene chloride, an ingredient in many paint removers, is exceptionally dangerous to anyone with a heart condition. It is also suspected of causing cancer.