Spray painting can give a new look to your favorite toys, home decor items, and your complete house as well. Not to mention, spray painting is the easiest method of all when it comes to different painting techniques. But can you go and buy it? Are there any age restrictions? How old do you have to be to buy spray paint?

It is good to know about this before you put yourself at risk. So, if you are planning to go and purchase the spray paint, we advise you to wait and read this article.

I know what you are thinking, and to bring you out of your thoughts, yes, spray paint has age restrictions, and it varies from place to place.

The age requirement for purchasing spray paint is typically 18 years old or older. If you are under 18 and you buy the spray paint canister, it’s unlawful, and you might be placed under the charge.

It’s the same for most of the US states; however, each state has the right to set its own rules regarding the buying of spray paints. Talking about New York, they have restricted the people under the age of 21.

So, it is largely determined by where you live and what the local rules and regulations suggest.

In Canada, the legal age to purchase spray cans is 18 years old. Whereas the age limit is different for the UK. There you have to be 16 years or older to be able to buy spray paints on your own.

Ever wondered why there is a law on obtaining spray paints and how can it be harmful to minors? If you have ever thought about it, you must continue to read, and you will know the answer.

Why there are age restrictions to buy spray paints

There are people born with a creative and imaginative mind, and all they love is painting and drawing. But why do states have laws restricting specific age groups from buying spray paints? Well, there are quite a few obvious reasons, and as a concerned citizen, you must know about them and educate others as well.

Effects of spray paint on minors

Not many people are aware of this, but spray paint fumes may cause serious health issues for underage persons. Aside from damaging the respiratory system, the fumes can cause irritation in the eyes. Moreover, you may have to suffer from nausea, headaches, and throat infection.

The long-term health issues include liver infection and causing harm to the nervous system. Kidneys are also affected if you are exposed to paint fumes for a long time.

With time, all these will lead you to cancer. This is one of the major reasons young persons are prohibited from obtaining spray paints. When you are grown up, your immune system will be able to protect you from these effects. But if you get exposed to it in the early years, you might not be able to make it for long.

The other major reasons include stopping people from sniffing solvents in the paint and getting high. Besides, these laws are put in place to reduce graffiti as underage people can go all over the place spreading the paint.

Spray paint hazards

Besides the health risk associated with spray paint, it can cause other severe problems as well. When you see the label, you will clearly see the warning stating you to keep the spray can away from heat or electrical appliances. In certain circumstances, it explodes and causes serious destruction.

For this reason, people are advised not to keep spray paint canisters for too long in their homes and dispose of them properly.

To keep yourself protected when applying the paint, one must adhere to the safety protocols and wear personal protective equipment.

All these reasons compel the government body to make and implement such laws that prevent underage persons from obtaining paint spray cans from any store. After all, it is for our own safety and protection, and we must abide by these rules, no matter what.

Conclusion

Spray paint has several advantages over other forms of painting, but it comes with several restrictions. If you are under the age of 18, you cannot get spray paint cans from anywhere you want. There are rules that stop juveniles from selling or purchasing spray paint in any form. Thus, if you want to buy, it’s better to check local rules or else you may put yourself in trouble.