Guidance

White spirit: general information

Updated 21 April 2020

Overview

White spirit is a flammable, clear, colourless liquid. It is a mixture of chemicals known as petroleum hydrocarbons. Other common names for white spirit are Stoddard solvent, turpentine substitute, mineral spirit and paint thinner.

Uses of white spirit

White spirit is used in paints, coatings, waxes, varnishes, adhesives, printing inks and liquid photocopier toners. In industry it is also used as a solvent for, cleaning, degreasing and substance extraction. In households, white spirit is commonly used to clean paint brushes or thin paint.

How white spirit gets into the environment

White spirit may be released into the environment during its production, transport and use.

Exposure to white spirit

The general population may be exposed to white spirit due to its use in various consumer products for example paints and varnishes, although such levels in these sources are unlikely to cause harm if the product is used correctly. Exposure may also occur in an occupational setting where white spirit is produced or used. However, safe limits are enforced to protect the employees; such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.

How exposure to white spirit can affect your health

The presence of white spirit in the environment does not always lead to exposure. In order for it to cause any adverse health effects, you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed to white spirit by breathing or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

Ingestion of white spirit can cause stomach upset and abdominal pain. In severe cases, white spirit may be absorbed into the body causing drowsiness, lack of coordination, fitting, heart problems and coma. Severe lung damage called pneumonitis can occur if liquid white spirit is inhaled directly into the lungs, for example, from inhaling vomit after swallowing white spirit.

Breathing in white spirit vapours may cause irritation of the nose, throat and lungs, shortness of breath, stomach upset, dizziness, headache, lack of coordination and drowsiness. Exposure to very high concentrations via inhalation may cause symptoms similar to those seen following ingestion.

Skin contact with white spirit causes irritation, drying and cracking. Prolonged contact can cause redness, blistering and burns. Dermatitis can develop following repeated exposure. Eye exposure may cause an immediate stinging and burning sensation and tearing.

White spirit and cancer

Due to lack of human data and the limited data in animals, it is not known whether white spirit causes cancer, therefore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considered it as being not classifiable.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

Due to lack of data, it is not possible to assess the reproductive and developmental effects of white spirit. It is unlikely that exposure to low concentrations of white spirit which do not affect the mother would result in harm to the unborn child.

Children

Children exposed to white spirit would be expected to display similar symptoms to those seen in exposed adults. White spirit stored around the home should be kept out of the reach of children and in an appropriate container.

What to do if you are exposed to white spirit

Low-level exposure from the correct use of products that contain white spirit would not be expected to cause any adverse health effects.

Following accidental exposure to white spirit you should:

• remove yourself from the source of exposure
• if white spirit is ingested - seek medical advice. Do not make yourself sick
• if white spirit is inhaled - seek medical advice
• if you have got white spirit on your skin, remove soiled clothing (not above the head), wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice
• if you have got white spirit in your eyes, remove contact lenses, irrigate the affected eye with lukewarm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice

Additional sources of information

UKTIS: Best use of medicines in pregnancy

NHS.UK information on poisoning

NHS.UK information on burns and scalds